Scrappers Take Advantage of Miscues to Top Black Bears

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Niles, OH- The Mahoning Valley Scrappers used a four run fourth inning to erase an early deficit against the West Virginia Black Bears thanks to two errors. In the bottom of the fifth inning the Scrappers scored the eventual game winning run on a wild pitch to top the Black Bears 6-5 at Eastwood Field. With the win the Scrappers once again have sole possession of first place in the Pinckney Division.        
            The Scrappers spotted starter Josh Tomlin a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Will Benson walked and stole second. After a single moved him to third, Benson came in to score on an RBI sacrifice fly by Gianpaul Gonzalez.  
            In the top of the fourth inning the Black Bears would send 10 batters to the plate and got to Tomlin for five runs on six hits. Of the five runs allowed by Tomlin, only one was earned.
            Mahoning Valley tied the game up in the bottom of the fourth thanks to two West Virginia errors. With one out and the bases loaded, Jesse Berardi singled to drive in Ulysses Cantu and Jonathan Laureano. Will Benson and Berardi would then score on two throwing errors on the same play to tie the game at five.
            The Scrappers would score the eventual game winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning, again thanks to a West Virginia error. With one out, Laureano reached on a throwing errro. A walk and a groundout would move him to third. Then with two outs, Laureano came home on a wild pitch for the 6-5 lead.
            Tomlin started and took a no decision in 3.2 innings. He allowed five runs, one earned, on eight hits. Tomlin struck out four. Zach Draper would go 0.1 innings in relief. He allowed one hit. Eli Morgan (3-1) picked up the win in 4.0 innings of relief. Morgan allowed one hit and one walk while striking out six. Jonathan Teaney (4) picked up the save win a perfect inning of work. Teaney struck out three.  
            The Scrappers and Black Bears will continue their series on Saturday night. Francisco Perez is scheduled to start. First pitch is set for 7:05. Saturday night will be Jason Kipnis bobblehead night for the first 1,000 fans. Call the Scrappers box office at 330-505-0000 to get your tickets or get them online at www.mvscrappers.com.