P-Rays Shut-out by Bluefield

The Princeton Rays were shut-out by the Bluefield Orioles 3-0 on Sunday at Hunnicutt Field. With the loss, the Orioles took the lead in the annual Mercer Cup competition.

Bluefield scored first in the first inning. Moises Ciriaco singled to center to lead off the inning. Ciriaco would later score on a triple by Brenden Webb to take a 1-0 lead.

The Orioles struck again in the third inning. Webb led off the inning with a walk, then stole second and later advanced to third on a balk. Joseph Velleggia singled to third to score Webb. Velleggia then scored on a double by Michael Ohlman to increase the lead 3-0.

Both team posted zeros on the scoreboard the remaining innings as the Rays fell 3-0.

Brulio Lara suffered the loss, falling to 1-2 on the season. Lara pitched 3 2/3 innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits with 5 strikeouts and two walk. Wade Broyles pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings with a hit, 5 strikeouts and 1 walk. Garrett Carruth finished the final frame with no runs, no hits and striking out 2 of the 3 hitters he faced.

The Rays and Orioles face off in the second game of the series on Monday night at Hunnicutt Field. Eliazer Suero (0-1, 6.14) will get the start against Angel Cespedes (2-0, 0.00) for Bluefield.