Big Inning Propels Scrappers to Series Win

Big Inning Propels Scrappers to Series Win
 (Niles, OH)-For the second straight night the Mahoning Valley Scrappers had to battle from behind to beat the West Virginia Black Bears. And for the second straight night the Scrappers' offense found its stride in the later innings. The Scrappers used a five run bottom of the sixth inning to take their first lead of the night on the way to a 9-3 win.
West Virginia would once again score first. Michael de la Cruz reached on a one out walk and moved to third on a single by Edison Lantigua. Lucas Mangieri would then bring home de la Cruz with an RBI groundout for the 1-0 lead.
            In the bottom of the third inning the Scrappers would tie the score. Gabriel Mejia started the inning with a bunt single. Jose Fermin followed with a single to put runners on first and second. A balk would move both runners into scoring position. Tyler Freeman followed with an RBI groundout to tie the game at 1.
West Virginia would retake the lead with two runs in the top of the sixth inning.
In the bottom of the sixth the Scrappers woke the bats up. Freeman started the inning being hit by a pitch. With one out and one on, Mitch Reeves connected on the Scrappers first homerun of the season, a two run shot to left to tie the game again. A two out walk to Henry Pujols extended the inning and brought Elvis Perez to the plate. Perez triple to bring Pujols in for the first Scrappers lead of the night. Jason Rodriguez and Fermin would follow with RBI singles as well to push the lead to 6-3.
The Scrappers would add on two insurance runs in the seventh and one in the eighth to push the score out to the final of 9-3.
Luis Oviedo started and took a no decision. Oviedo struck out eight over four innings of work. He allowed just one earned run on two hits. Randy Valladares (1-0) picked up the win with three innings of relief work. Valladares allowed one unearned run will striking out two. Luis Araujo added a perfect inning of relief while striking out two. Manuel Alvarez pitched the final inning of the game while walking one and striking out one.
              The Scrappers (2-0) look for the series sweep of the Black Bears on Sunday afternoon. Cameron Mingo will get the start. First pitch is set for 4:05 pm. Get your tickets now at mvscrappers.com or by calling 330-505-0000 or visiting the Chevy All-Stars box office at Eastwood Field.

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