Scooter Hightower impressive as bullpen implodes

NY-Penn League News Photo

The West Virginia Black Bears’ loss on Monday night was disappointing, to say the least. Leading 2-0 going into the top of the 9th, the Black Bears gave up seven runs and lost to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 7-2, before 1,616 fans.

Scooter Hightower pitched an impressive eight shutout innings (89 pitches, four hits, 8 strikeouts and 1 walk).

Black Bears' relievers Joel Cesar and Hector Garcia gave up 7 runs on just 3 hits and 5 walks in the ninth inning.

Scooter Hightower

Hightower, a 15th round draft pick in 2015, is in his second season with the Black Bears and looks ready for a move up to the low-A West Virginia Power when the opportunity presents itself.  Appearing in 13 games (12 starts), he has an ERA of 1.88 in 72 innings pitched (0.86 WHIP, 61 strikeouts, 6 walks). Since the New York-Penn League All Star game break, Hightower has given up no runs in 15 innings (11 strikeoouts and 1 walk and a WHIP of 0.60).

The other bright spot for the night was the appearance of “The Pride of West Virginia” (West Virginia University marching band).

"The Pride of West Virginia"

The Black Bears lead the Scrappers by 1 game in McNamara Division as they head out of town for a six game road trip.

Photo Credits: NY-Penn League News, MiLB.com

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