West Virginia Power Trounce Columbus Catfish 9-4 - Advanced A, South Atlantic League

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - Charleston, WV  – Eric Farris and Steffan Wilson both drove in three runs on Friday night at Appalachian Power Park as West Virginia used a four run seventh inning to defeat the Columbus Catfish 9-4, giving them an opportunity to sweep the defending champs on Saturday night.

Maiko Loyola began the game with a double and scored the first run of the game on a wild pitch. The Power tied the game in the bottom of the first when Matt Cline scored on Eric Fryer’s groundout. Omar Luna kicked off the third inning with a double and scored on Loyola’s groundout to give the Catfish their final lead of the game. Curt Rindal began the bottom of the third with his seventh homer of the season and the Power took the lead when Farris’s sacrifice fly allowed Lee Haydel to score.

The Power added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth when Caleb Gindl

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tripled in Wilson. The Catfish didn’t go away easily, and tied the game in the fifth inning on a two-run single from Greg Sexton. The Power regained the lead just a half-inning later when Farris’s groundout plated Haydel. Farris struck again in the seventh with a two-out RBI single and Wilson provided the crushing blow to the Catfish with a bases clearing three-run double later in the inning.

R.J. Seidel (7-4) allowed four runs on seven hits over five innings and fanned five to get the victory. Roque Mercedes (2) delivered another masterful performance in relief, tossing four scoreless innings of one hit ball and fanned seven to get the save. Jesse Darcy (4-2) allowed five runs on six hits over five innings and was tagged with the loss.

The Power improved to 53-44 on the year and 21-7 in the second half with the win. The Catfish fell to 43-53 on the year and 16-10 in the second half with the loss. Every Power player reached at least once and eight out of the starting nine hit safely at least once. Haydel and Wilson paced the Power with two hits a piece. Wilson extended his hitting streak to 12 games and he has reached safely in his last 17. He has also driven in 19 runs over his last 11 games.

The Power will finish the four game series against the Columbus Catfish at Appalachian Power Park on Saturday night. Left hander Dan Merklinger (3-6, 6.54) will make the start for the Power and the Catfish will counter with right hander Jason Ragan (6-7, 3.65). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

For more information contact the Power Front Offices at (304) 344-2287 or visit the Power website at www.wvpower.com .

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