Scrappers Pitching Staff Dominates Game One Against West Virginia

NILES, OH- After struggling the last few games the Scrappers’ pitching staff put on arguably their best performance of the year. After allowing two runs in the first the staff locked the West Virginia Black Bears’ lineup down. They allowed only one run for the rest of the game.

The staff as a whole allowed three runs and five hits on the night. They held West Virginia scoreless between the 2nd and 8th innings. After struggling in the 1st inning and giving up two runs Jimmy Burnette was dominant until he was relieved after the fourth. Burnette struck out four while walking two and gave up only two hits in his next 3.2 innings after a 1st inning triple. Relievers Garrett Schoenle and Kerry Wright didn’t allow a run during their appearances. Gabe Shepard allowed one run in the 9th but finished his one inning of work with two strikeouts.

The game began with an eventful 1st inning. West Virginia took an early lead scoring two in the top of the inning. The Scrappers responded with three singles. Jason Hinchman roped a single just over the outstretched glove of the second baseman that scored Trent “Buck” Anderson cutting the Black Bears’ lead to 2-1.

After the eventful start, the game stayed quiet for the next four and a half innings until the Scrappers had a big 6th inning. Bobby Sparling started the hitting with a hustle double into the left-center gap. He was driven in the next at-bat when Jason Hinchman hit an infield single. The Scrappers took the lead on a wild play. Jarrod Belbin hit a single that rolled just to the side of the pitcher’s mound, when the West Virginia pitcher Tyler Grauer attempted to make the tough play he threw the ball into right field, allowing Hinchman to score and Belbin to advance all the way to third. The error allowed the Scrappers to take their first lead of the night at a score of 3-2.

The Scrappers struck again with a big bottom of the 7th. Hinchman came up clutch again, dropping a broken-bat RBI single into right field with the bases loaded. Belbin followed with a sacrifice fly to center driving in the second run of the inning. Dan Harwood cleaned up the following at-bat with a bases-clearing two-run single. The big inning gave the Scrappers a wide 7-2 lead.

West Virginia scored one in the 9th, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Scrappers held on to win 7-3.

Hinchman was named Baird Brothers Player of the Game going 3-4 at the plate with three singles, a run scored, and three RBI. The big night gave him a commanding lead in the MLB Draft League's RBI race with 19 through the first 20 games of the season. The offense as a whole mashed, totaling 14 hits. Belbin and Comia also had multi-hit games.

The win raises the Scrappers’ record to 13-7, helping them maintain sole possession of first place in the MLB Draft League standings. The Scrappers will play game two against West Virginia tomorrow night.

Tomorrow night fans can purchase the Pizza Hut Family Package containing loaded tickets & a large topping pizza coupon, available every Saturday! Tomorrow is also Game Show Night, join us for games and loaded prizes throughout the night.

The fireworks show presented by Fairfield Inn Warren-Niles, 717 Credit Union, Flex Strut, The Hot Dog Shoppe, 21 WFMJ, WBCB, and Mix 98.9 is rescheduled due to weather for Saturday, June 26. Fans can use their ticket from tonight's game (June 18) to redeem a ticket of equal or lesser value for the June 26 game.

Purchase your tickets HERE for the remainder of the homestand.

--Jordan Boitnott