Charleston, WV (WV POWER) - Eric Fryer went 5-for-5 and drove in six runs while Roque Mercedes turned in six great innings on Sunday night at Appalachian Power Park as the West Virginia Power scored 16 unanswered runs to defeat the Hagerstown Suns 16-1.
The Suns got their lone run in the top of the second on Garrett Bass's RBI groundout. The Power began their rampage with a five-run second inning. Cole Kimball issued bases loaded walks with two outs to Lee Haydel and Eric Farris and Fryer capped the five run frame with a three-run double.
The Power plated six runs in the third. Uly Snijders walked with the bases loaded on four pitches to plate the first run and Matt Cline was hit by the very next pitch to bring in the next run. Lee Haydel and Fryer doubled in two runs a piece to finish the inning. Farris doubled in a run to start the five run fifth before Fryer singled Farris home and Zelous Wheeler capped the inning with a three-run homer, his eighth of the season.
Mercedes (3-4) turned in his finest start of the season, holding the Suns to just a run on three hits over six innings and got the victory. Kimball (3-5) allowed eight runs on five hits and walked four batters through two innings of work and was tagged with the loss. Jose Garcia and Pedro Lambertus combined to toss three scoreless innings of relief.
The Power improved to 44-42 on the year and 12-5 in the second half with the win. The Suns fell to 43-43 on the year and 9-8 in the second half with the loss. Farris extended his hitting streak to nine games while Fryer extended his to seven. Caleb Gindl's hitting streak was snapped at 11 games. Fryer's five hit performance paced the Power and he went 21-for-36 during the ten game home stand. Wheeler went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs while Steffan Wilson and Lee Haydel turned in two hits each.
The 16 runs established a new season high. West Virginia finished the ten game home stand with an 8-2 record and they are two games over .500 for the first time this season.
The Power will begin a four game series against the Savannah SandGnats at Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia on Monday night. Right hander R.J. Seidel (5-4, 4.87) will make the start for the Power. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM.