GRANVILLE — Despite a showcase of pitching early in the game and the threat of a rally in the 7th inning, the West Virginia Black Bears took another loss Tuesday night against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 7-1.
Starting pitcher Mitch Bratt’s performance made for a strong debut at Monongalia County Ballpark as he took the mound for the Black Bears. The Ontario native held the Scrappers to only two hits in the first 1 2/3 and innings, when the defense finally broke for the Black Bears. A double for Mahoning Valley drove in the first run of the game before Bratt closed out the inning.
The Black Bears held the Scrappers offense to one run until back-to-back singles to center field added to Mahoning Valley’s lead in the top of the 7th, 3-1.
However, the first home run of the season off the bat of Cooper Swanson gave West Virginia a spark of life with only one out in the bottom of the 7th. Though a fly ball deep to center field by Ranko Stevanovich appeared to be the hope to keep the rally alive, it was caught to end the inning.
The Black Bears will head to Frederick, Md., to take on the Keys in a two-game series beginning Wednesday. They return home to face former New York-Penn League opponents the Willamsport Crosscutters on Friday.
