The West Virginia Black Bears kicked off their 10th season at home in style, edging out the Williamsport Crosscutters 7-6 in a back-and-forth battle under the lights at Kendrick Family Ballpark.
This was not only the Black Bears’ first game at home this season, but also a significant one—it marked the Crosscutters’ first loss of the year. West Virginia improved to 3-2 on the season, now just a game behind Williamsport in the six-team MLB Draft League standings.
Playing in front of a lively crowd, fans packed the stadium with $10 general admission tickets, creating an electric atmosphere for the home debut.
Local Talent Delivers the Game-Winner
Infielder Sam Miller, who hails from nearby McMurray, Pennsylvania, and has family ties to WVU, delivered the clutch hit of the night. With the game tied in the bottom of the eighth, Miller lined a single to left, bringing home Beau Slyvester (Oklahoma State) and giving the Black Bears a 7-6 lead.
“I’ve been around West Virginia for a while. I love it,” Miller said. “It’s pretty cool. I’ve never played with fans like that at a stadium.”
A Strong Start and a Fierce Comeback
The Black Bears came out swinging, scoring in each of the first four innings. The action began with a single by Mario Magana, a Miami commit, to open the scoring. By the third inning, a single from Jonny McGill stretched the lead to 3-0.
In the fourth, the crowd came alive as Connor Hicks (Southeastern University) smashed a home run, starting a two-run frame that pushed the lead to 5-0.
But the Crosscutters, determined to keep their unbeaten record, stormed back. A four-run sixth inning, followed by two more in the seventh, tied the game at six before Miller’s late heroics sealed the win.
Team Chemistry Building Early
Despite being just five games into the season, the Black Bears are already showing signs of a close-knit unit. Their early road trip, including stops in Maryland, helped the players—who come from colleges across the country—bond quickly.
“It’s only been like four days, but we’re a close-knit group,” Miller said. “The road trip was huge because we were all in close quarters with each other.”
As the MLB Draft League season continues, the Black Bears are showing promise both on the field and in the dugout. If the rest of the season is anything like opening night, fans are in for a thrilling summer at Kendrick Family Ballpark.
