Scrappers Prevail to take the Series
Jordan Boitnott NILES, OH- Tonight, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers were able to win one of the most exciting games of the year against the Williamsport Crosscutters. The game featured a combined 22 hits and 19 runs from both teams. It was a seesaw battle all night featuring four lead changes
Jordan Boitnott
NILES, OH- Tonight, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers were able to win one of the most exciting games of the year against the Williamsport Crosscutters. The game featured a combined 22 hits and 19 runs from both teams. It was a seesaw battle all night featuring four lead changes and two ties. It was fitting that a night full of ups and downs was closed out by reliever/shortstop Yo Yo Nunez.
Williamsport hit the ball early and often, in the 1st inning they scored three runs on four hits. The first two runs of the evening came when Trey Steffler snuck a 367 foot homer over the left field fence (
Prep Baseball Report). They scored again when Isaac Nunez lined a single down the right field line, scoring the runner from second.
It didn’t take long for the Scrappers to answer. In the bottom of the 1st with two outs and runners on the corners Jalen Jones lined a single up the middle to bring Sam Crail home from third. The next at-bat Duncan Hewitt added to the run total when he singled home Jason Hinchman from second. Hewitt was caught stealing at second to end the inning with a runner on third. In the bottom of 2nd the Scrappers were able to tie the game at 3-3 with a 363 foot solo shot by Collin Gordon.
In the top of the 3rd Williamsport would take the lead once again. With the bases loaded Nunez hit a sac fly to right field warning track that scored the runner from third. After running themselves out of the inning Williamsport took a 4-3 lead into the bottom half.
Once again, the Scrappers rallied back scoring two in the bottom half of the 3rd. Jones hit a ground rule double, scoring Bobby Sparling from second base. Jones scored the following play when Hewitt hit an RBI single giving the Scrappers the 5-4 lead.
The next half inning the offense kept coming. Williamsport scored three runs after a lead off walk, back-to-back doubles, a single and a sac fly. The Crosscutters were able to do enough damage that they were able to get Scrapper’s starter Hunter Stellato pulled after 3.1 innings pitched. He left after giving up seven runs on nine hits and three walks, he also struck out three.
After a quiet three innings the Scrapper’s offense exploded in the 7th with their largest, and final counterpunch of the night. Jason Nall started the inning with a lead off walk. After stealing himself into scoring position he was singled home by Trent “Buck” Anderson. After Anderson was able to get himself to third by stealing second and third base, Sparling was walked to put runners on the corners. Hinchman hit a routine grounder to third that was bobbled and then thrown into center field while attempting to turn a double play. The errant throw allowed Anderson to score, setting the stage for Jones with the leading run on second. Jones would capitalize and give the Scrappers the lead, launching a 385 foot three-run bomb, which ended up being the difference in tonight’s contest.
The Scrapper’s 10-7 lead wasn’t safe for very long. In the 8th Williamsport added two runs off a Rob Marinec single. Williamsport was able to put the tying run on first with one out but weren’t able to get him around to score. 10-9 is where both teams' offensive barrage would end for the night in favor of the Scrappers. Yo Yo Nunez shut the game down retiring five straight to end the game and striking out the side in the 9th.
Jones was named Baird Brothers Player of the Game. At the plate he was 3-4, just a triple shy of the cycle with a single, double and home run. He scored two runs and drove in five during his spectacular performance. As a unit the Scrappers offense tallied 10 hits. Outside of Jones Anderson and Hewitt had multi-hit games. Every Scrapper that made a plate appearance reached base at least once.
The win raises the Scrappers record to (23-26-2). After a 1-13 start in July they’ve won back-to-back series and four of their last six. They will begin a three-game set tomorrow, July 30 with the West Virginia Black Bears at 7:05 at Eastwood Field.
Tomorrow is the BIG 50/50 GIVEAWAY $10,000 promotion! One lucky fan will go home with a minimum of $5,000 (must be present to win). Zooperstars popular entertainment act will also be at Eastwood Field presented by Fairfield Inn Warren-Niles, Farmers National Bank & Mix 98.9. Lastly, it’s Friday Night Fireworks presented by Chevy All-Stars, 21 WFMJ & WBCB and Mix 98.9; Scout Night with sleepover and movie!