Stafford's home run leads Power to fifth straight win

CHARLESTON, W.V. (August 28, 2018) - Deon Stafford lofted a go-ahead solo home run in the sixth inning as West Virginia pulled away late to snag a 5-2 win Tuesday evening at Appalachian Power Park.
Stafford's homer broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth, vaulting West Virginia (31-30, 68-59) ahead, 3-2. The Power backstop has now totaled six home runs in August and 11 on the season.

In the seventh, Calvin Mitchell broke it open for a second consecutive game. The South Atlantic League Annual All-Star ripped a two-run single that scored Travis Swaggerty and Lolo Sanchez to push the lead to 5-2.
The Power's offense got to Hagerstown's starter early for the second day in a row. Jackson Stoeckinger (2-6) hurled 29 pitches in the first and loaded the bases on a pair of singles by Connor Kaiser and Mitchell as well as a walk to Stafford. Robbie Glendinning then knocked a single to left that drove in Kaiser and Mitchell, putting West Virginia in front, 2-0.
The Suns (24-35, 51-76) came right back in the top of the third. Phil Caulfield led off the inning with a triple before Paul Panaccione plated him with a groundout. With two outs in the third, Oddy Nunez (1-0) walked Armond Upshaw. Cole Freeman then laced a double down the left-field line that scored Upshaw from first and tied the game at two.
Nunez spun another quality start and earned his first win in the South Atlantic League this season. He twirled six innings, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out four in his third quality start with the Power this season. 
Cam Alldred relieved Nunez in the seventh. The Ohio native offered two innings and struck out a pair in his South Atlantic League debut.
Beau Sulser (S, 8) came on and finished off the Suns in the ninth. The save pushed him ahead of Matt Seelinger for the highest saves by a Power pitcher in 2018. The closer retired the Suns 1-2-3 in the ninth to end the game.
West Virginia continues its four-game set against the Hagerstown Suns Wednesday evening at 7:05 p.m. at Appalachian Power Park. RHP Sergio Cubilete (4-5, 5.63 ERA) gets the ball for the Power, while the Suns counter with southpaw Tim Cate (0-2, 9.00 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, as well as online at www.wvpower.com and via the TuneIn Radio App and MiLB First Pitch App.
Wednesday is the final Pets in the Park night at Appalachian Power Park. A pet pass costs $3.00, and all proceeds go to various animal-related charities. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.