Scrappers Walk Off Versus Williamsport on Saturday

NILES, O.H. - The Mahoning Valley Scrappers fought back from a 5-2 deficit in the ninth inning, scoring four runs and walking off the Williamsport Crosscutters, 6-5. With the win, the Scrappers (15-6) still hold the best record in the New York-Penn League. They are 1.5 games ahead of Hudson Valley (14-8) for that mark. They also remain in first place in their division - three games ahead of the Auburn Doubledays.
After Mahoning Valley jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first inning, the Crosscutters got a run on the board in the third after a fielding error from Scrappers third baseman Henry Pujols. Williamsport then fought to tie the game in the fourth. A pair of wild pitches from Scrappers starter Juan Mota helped Williamsport score its tying run. Ben Pelletier singled and advanced to second on Mota's first wild pitch. A groundout by Danny Mayer advanced him to third, and he scored from there on Mota's second wild pitch.
Mota recovered in the fifth, allowing just one walk, but he could not make it out of the sixth inning. The first three Crosscutters batters reached base via two singles and a walk. After striking out Jesus Henriquez, Mota was pulled for Skylar Arias. Arias allowed all three runners that Mota allowed on base to score, giving Williamsport a 5-2 lead.
All four Scrappers runs in its ninth inning comeback were scored with two outs. Clark Scolamiero and Henry Pujols both grounded out to begin the inning. The offense then went to work.
Tre Gantt singled and advanced on defensive indifference. He then scored on a throwing error by Crosscutters third baseman Alec Bohm, which allowed Jose Fermin to go to second. Tyler Freeman was hit by a Tyler Carr pitch and Richie Palacios walked to follow, loading the bases. Abdallah Aris replaced Carr on the mound for Williamsport. He hit the first batter he faced - Mitch Reeves - with a pitch, scoring Fermin and cutting Williamsport's lead to 5-4.
Hosea Nelson then stepped in and delivered the final blow. A line drive single to right-center field scored Freeman and Palacios, completing the Scrappers comeback - a 6-5 win.
The Scrappers and Crosscutters continue its series on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. Back-to-back reigning New York Penn-League Pitcher of the Week Luis Oviedo (3-0, 0.39 ERA) is scheduled to oppose Williamsport's Jack Perkins (0-0, 4.50).
Sunday is Family Fun Day presented by Warren-area McDonald's and Kiss 95.9. Fans can also bring in any non-winning Ohio Lottery ticket to the Chevy All Stars Box Office and receive a buy one, get one upper box seat free. For tickets, call the Chevy All Stars Box Office at 330-505-0000 or click here.