West Virginia Power players line up before the start of Thursday night’s season opener at Appalachian Power Park.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Power’s three early runs and a healthy scattering of hits throughout the premises raised the prospect of good things to come.
The invigorating 81-degree game-time weather added to the festive atmosphere, too.
In addition, a handful of folks watched from the condominium rooftop across Smith Street, giving the ballpark a new frill reminiscent of Watt Powell Park where fans watched from the railroad tracks beyond the right-field wall.
But the ballpark’s season-opening atmosphere picked up even more in the bottom of the 10th inning when the Power’s Jerrick Suiter slapped a slow roller to shortstop, and pinch-runner Jeff Roy, running at the crack of the bat from third base, scurried home and slid under the tag to give the Power a 7-6 victory over the Savannah Sand Gnats Thursday night at Appalachian Power Park. A loud crowd of 4,034 attended.
Suiter’s teammates then streamed out of the dugout and engulfed him in a celebratory assault near first base.
“I see the entire team charging at me,’’ said Suiter, a 22-year-old native of Valparaiso, Ind. “It was pretty cool. That was the first walkoff I’ve ever had. It’s a really good feeling.’’