MORGANTOWN — The West Virginia Black Bears have started the second half of their season and added 11 players to their roster for the professional part of the MLB Draft League season.
Pitcher Sayer Dierderich from LSU has returned to the Black Bears after playing for the team in 2022. The first time he was with the team he had a 15.43 ERA and threw 2.1 innings.
Catcher Dayne Leonard played at West Virginia University from 2022-23. During his time with the Mountaineers, he had 71 RBI, 67 runs scored, and seven home runs. He also played for the Black Bears in 2023 with an RBI and .333 OBP.
Pitcher Noah Manning is from Troy University where he had a 3.90 ERA in 30 innings. Shortstop Chris Einemann is from Bryant University where he hit .286 with 31 RBI. Pitcher Joathan Rivera is from Point Park University where he pitched 39.2 innings with a 4.76 ERA. Infielder Kasten Furr is from Louisiana Tech University Where he scored 70 runs and hit .271. Shortstop Connor McGuire is from California Baptist University where he hit 276.
Pitcher AJ Stinson returns to the Black Bears for a second season. In 2023 he carried a 2.55 ERA across 24.2 innings.
Third Baseman Trace Willhoite is from Lipscomb University where he holds the all-time program home run record with 53 long balls. Last season he hit 19 home runs with a .303 average. Outfielder Alex Vergara is also from Lipscomb University where he hit 20 home runs with a .282 batting average.
Outfielder Sean Stephens is from the University of New Mexico where he hit .300.
The Black Bears begin the second half of the season with four games at Trenton. West Virginia returns home next Tuesday against Williamsport. Manager David Carpenter and the Black Bears went 12-21 in the first half of the season.
