Scrappers Off To 4-0 Start

Niles, OH - In their home-opening series, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers were able to stay hot with a two-game sweep of the State College Spikes. Winning Wednesday 5-2 and a 4-0 win Thursday the Scrappers were able to take sole possession of the first place in the MLB Draft League with a (4-0) record.

Wednesday night the Scrappers got on the board early and never looked back. After two singles by catcher Duncan Hewitt and designated hitter Mathieu Vallee, left fielder Trent “Buck” Anderson roped a single to drive in Hewitt for the first run of the night. A double steal by Vallee and Anderson led to third baseman Jalen Jones hitting a base clearing single to give the Scrappers a 3-0 lead.

After scoring insurance runs in the 5th and 8th inning the scrappers would have to hold off a final push by State College. Shortstop Tyler Heckert homered for the Spikes in the top of the 8th to make the score 4-1. In the top of the 9th, relief pitcher Trey Nordmann walked in a run and loaded the bases, putting the winning run at the plate. With two outs Nordmann would strikeout Heckert to end the game.

Trent “Buck” Anderson was named player of the game posting a stat line consisting of two hits, one run, a walk, and two stolen bases.

Game two of the series Thursday night would go quite similarly. The Scrappers spread their runs out, scoring in the bottom of the 1st, 5th, and two runs in the 7th. The Scrappers pitching staff combined to throw a shutout only allowing four hits and 12 strikeouts. Offensively the team saw the ball well as a group, racking up 11 hits. Things would get interesting again in the top of the 9th after State College loaded the bases with two outs and brought the tying run to the plate. Reliever Gabe Shepard recovered after a shaky start to the inning by striking out outfielder James Jett to seal the game and the series sweep.

Mathieu Vallee was announced as the player of the game going three for three at the plate with two walks and three runs scored. The performance raised his batting average to .583 and his OBP to a staggering .733.

The Scrappers are slated to take on the winless Frederick Keys (0-2-1) for a 2 game series after Friday night’s game was canceled due to inclement weather. First pitch Saturday is at 7:05 p.m. at Eastwood Field and the series finale is Sunday with the first pitch at 4:05 p.m. Tickets are available for Saturday and Sunday; purchase tickets here.

-Jordan Boitnott