Charleston, WV (May 4, 2006) – Just over 3,400 fans witnessed an offensive eruption from the West Virginia Power at Appalachian Power on Thursday night. The Power set a South Atlantic League record, belting seven homeruns, six in the first inning and they beat the Lexington Legends in a rain shortened contest by the final score of 17-2.

While the Power did most of the scoring, the Legends drew first blood in the top of the first inning on Eric King’s RBI double. In the bottom of the first, the Power offense answered in a big way. West Virginia sent 15 batters to the plate, hit six homeruns and scored 12 runs on 12 hits to take a 12-1 lead. Darren Ford began the inning with a triple, and scored on Lorenzo Cain’s RBI single. Moments later, Mat Gamel hit his first of two homeruns in the inning, a three run blast to give the Power a 4-1 advantage. After a Mike Bell double, Ryan Crew hit a two run blast, his first of the year to put the Power up 6-1. Ned Yost followed Ryan Crew with his third homerun of the season. Brad Willcutt singled and then scored when Nate Yoho hit a two run homer, his second of the year. Angel Salome hit the fifth homerun of the inning, a two run blast to give the Power an 11-1 advantage, and Mat Gamel followed Salome with his second homerun of the inning to complete the 12 run frame.

Lexington plated their final run of the game in the top of the second inning when Mitch Einertson blasted a solo homerun making it a 12-2 game. The Power answered back with Darren Ford’s RBI single in the bottom of the inning.

The Power broke the record in the bottom of the fifth inning on Mike Bell’s three run blast. Later in the inning Brad Willcutt singled in Ryan Crew before the rain came and ended the contest.

The first 10 batters reached base for the Power in the bottom of the first inning, and eight of the nine batters in the starting lineup had multi-hit games. The previous single game homerun record (6) was held by several teams, and was last accomplished by the Lexington Legends on April 8, 2002.

Derek Miller (2-1) allowed two runs through five innings and earned the victory. Brian Bogusevic (0-2) never recorded an out and only faced eight batters in the first inning, earning the loss. The Power are 13-13 after the win and the Legends fell to 15-12 with the loss. The win marks the second rain shortened victory of the season for the Power. Attendance for the game was 3,444.

The Power continue the six game series against the Lexington Legends at Appalachian Power Park on Friday night. Lexington will start right hander Levi Romero (4-0, 3.16) and West Virginia will counter with right hander Will Inman (2-0, 0.95). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

For more information contact the Power Front Offices at (304) 344-2287 or visit the Power website at www.wvpower.com.