Miners' sweep ends 'Rats' playoff drive

BECKLEY, W.VA. — West Virginia swept a doubleheader from Richmond on Sunday and put an end to the RiverRats’ Prospect League playoff hopes in the process.

The Miners won 13-1 and 11-6, both in seven innings.

The victories locked up the second-half title for West Virginia — and also gave the East Division’s second playoff spot to Chillicothe.

The Miners finished in first for both halves, meaning the team with the next best overall record will meet them in the divisional playoff game. Chillicothe is 35-24 overall and Richmond 32-26 with one game remaining in the regular season.

West Virginia scored six times in the bottom of the first in Game 1 and never looked back. Derek Trovillion went 2-for-3 and Michael Meredith had an RBI for Richmond.

The RiverRats stormed out to a lead in Game 2 after scoring four times in the first inning, but the Miners kept chipping away.

West Virginia scored four times in the bottom of the sixth to build a five-run advantage heading into the final inning.

http://www.pal-item.com/article/20120805/SPORTS/308050016/Miners-sweep-ends-Rats-playoff-drive