Potent offense guides Power to doubleheader sweep

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (May 9, 2019) - Clay Chandler hurled his first career complete game and Jake Anchia cranked two home runs and tallied a career-high five RBI in an 11-1 blowout win in game one for West Virginia, while Deivy Florido impressed in his debut as the Power took down Augusta, 6-1, to complete a doubleheader sweep Thursday night at Appalachian Power Park.

GAME 1: West Virginia 11, Augusta 1 (F/7)
West Virginia (18-13) got off to a blazing start in game one, as they sent nine men to the plate in the first and scored five runs, knocking out Augusta starter Jesus Ozoria (0-2). After J.R. Davis worked a leadoff walk and stole second base, Joseph Rosa drove him in with a base hit through the right side for a 1-0 lead. Ozoria then issued back-to-back walks to Ryan Ramiz and Onil Pena before a passed ball plated Rosa and extended the lead to 2-0. Jake Anchia provided the big blow in the inning, walloping a three-run homer to 378 feet to right field for a 5-0 edge.
Anchia struck again in the third, blasting a two-run shot to right-center 413 feet, pushing the lead to 7-0. The Nova Southeastern product became the third Power batter to have multiple home runs in a game, joining Jarred Kelenic (April 27 vs. Asheville) and Dean Nevarez (April 26 vs. Asheville). The backstop is also the first West Virginia slugger to collect a five-RBI night since Deon Stafford accomplished the feat August 11, 2018, at Rome. The Power has not had a batter homer in back-to-back at-bats since Trae Arbet on April 12, 2017, vs. Asheville.
West Virginia blew it open in the sixth, adding four more on a pair of two-run doubles from Kelenic and Ramiz to make it 11-1.
Clay Chandler (4-1) went the distance for the Power, hurling seven strong innings and allowing one run on five hits, with the lone blow Augusta (16-15) dealt against him a leadoff homer by Shane Matheny in the top of the sixth. The Paducah, Kentucky, native fanned seven batters and did not issue a free pass for his fourth straight start. Chandler notched the first complete game of his career, as well as the first for the Power since Hunter Stratton did so in a losing effort against Kannapolis on July 26, 2018.
GAME 2: West Virginia 6, Augusta 1 (F/7)
The Power (19-13) continued their momentum from game one with back-to-back singles to lead off the first inning of game two, followed by a Rosa two-run double to make it 2-0 West Virginia. They added one more in the third on a fielder's choice against Keaton Winn (1-2) to take a 3-0 lead.
West Virginia's offense stayed in stride in the bottom of the third, plating three more runs to take a commanding 6-0 lead. Again, Augusta (16-16) notched its only run in the sixth to break the shutout against Florido (1-0). However, Bryan Pall (S, 2) entered the game with the bases loaded and shut the door on a GreenJackets comeback chance to secure the 6-1 win with 1.2 scoreless innings of relief. 
Florido twirled 5.1 innings and gave up the one run on five hits in his Power debut. The 18-year-old struck out five batters and walked just one over 75 pitches (55 for strikes).
West Virginia and Augusta conclude their season series Friday night at Appalachian Power Park, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. RHP Ryne Inman (3-2, 3.00 ERA) takes the mound for the Power, while the GreenJackets send righty Blake Rivera (1-0, 3.07 ERA) to the slab. Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, as well as online at wvpower.com and via the TuneIn Radio App and MiLB First Pitch App.
Be sure to stick around after the final out of West Virginia's series finale against the Augusta GreenJackets for postgame fireworks! Enjoy the Kanawha Valley's best pyrotechnical show, brought to you by the West Virginia Treasurer's Office Unclaimed Property Program and Suddenlink. The highlight of the homestand comes on Saturday, May 11th, against the Kannapolis Intimidators, with Military Appreciation Night, presented by Poca Valley Bank, and a patriotic fanny pack giveaway for the first 1,000 fans. For tickets and more information, call us at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.