West Virginia blanks R'Dogs

  • Staff report
  • Posted: Thursday, April 15, 2010 12:01 a.m.
    UPDATED: Sunday, March 18, 2012 10:55 p.m.
  • Text size: A A A

Three West Virginia pitchers combined on a seven-hit shutout, as the Power blanked the Charleston RiverDogs, 2-0, in South Atlantic League action Wednesday in front of 5,058 at Riley Park.

Starter Nathan Baker got his first win of the season for the Power (3-4), going five scoreless innings and allowing three hits and striking out two.

Charleston (3-4) stranded 10 runners and went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position. The RiverDogs were also shutout for the first time since Aug. 31, 2009 at Rome and for the first time at home since July 31, 2009 against Lexington.

The Power went up 1-0 in the second inning against starter Graham Stoneburner (0-2) on Wes Freeman's sacrifice fly. Stoneburner gave up two runs -- one earned -- on two hits in 6 2/3 strong innings with one walk and a season-high tying seven strikeouts.

The Power added to its lead with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh. RiverDogs reliever Ronny Marte was summoned from the bullpen and allowed an infield RBI single to Jose Hernandez for a 2-0 Power lead.

The RiverDogs had their best opportunity in the bottom half, loading the bases with no one out. But reliever Gabriel Alvarado induced a Ray Kruml flyout to left and a 6-4-3 double play from Kyle Higashioka. Alvarado pitched two scoreless innings, and Ryan Kelly got the save with his two innings.

Garrison Lassiter posted two hits for Charleston, while West Virginia scoring its two runs on only three total base hits.

Ballpark fun

It was Charleston County Education Day presented by Y 102.5 FM with a rare 11:05 a.m. start time. Students swapped pencils, books and dirty looks at the front gates for hot dogs, foam fingers and a little of bit of SAL schooling.

Upcoming

The finale of the four-game series is tonight at 7:05. Sean Black (0-0, 4.50 ERA) is set to start for Charleston, and right-hander Kyle McPherson (0-1, 1.80 ERA) for the Power.

E--Baker, Rabago, Lassiter. DP--Power 2. LOB--Power 4, RiverDogs 10. 2B--Morgan, Mack. SF--Freeman. SB--Baker. CS--Freeman, Cunningham, Kruml.

Time--2:35. Att: 5,058.