Series Preview: Batavia Muckdogs

NILES, O.H. - The first place Mahoning Valley Scrappers (13-4) open a six-game homestand versus the Batavia Muckdogs (8-9) and the Williamsport Crosscutters (7-10) on Wednesday. Batavia visits Eastwood Field after taking two of three games versus the West Virginia Black Bears. The Scrappers return home after going 4-2 on the road at West Virginia and State College.
Batavia features three Miami Marlins draft picks from the first ten rounds of the 2018 MLB Draft. Catcher Nick Fortes was drafted in the fourth round, RHP Chris Vallimont was drafted in the fifth round, and RHP Tanner Andrews was selected in the tenth round. The Muckdogs also return nine players from the 2017 roster. Batavia's Jerar Encarnacion currently leads the New York-Penn league in hitting with a .479 batting average in 11 games played.
Mahoning Valley continues its hot start into the month of July. Yesterday starting pitcher Luis Oviedo was named the New York-Penn League's Pitcher of the Week for the second straight week. Oviedo notched the win for the Scrappers yesterday evening with seven shutout innings. The Scrappers opened the season with its best ten-game start (8-2) and won a record seven games at home in the month of June. The Scrappers currently lead the league in hitting (.274) and hold the league's best record.
Cameron Mingo will start for the Scrappers on Wednesday. The 24-year old has spent time with the Double-A Akron RubberDucks and the Low-A Lake County Captains this season before being assigned to Mahoning Valley on June 9. Mingo is 1-1 and has posted a 5.87 ERA in three starts with the Scrappers.
Mahoning Valley's Adoni Kery (0-1, 6.10 ERA) is scheduled to start Thursday, and Zack Draper (1-1, 5.54 ERA) should toe the rubber Friday versus the Muckdogs. All three games versus Batavia are scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m. and can be seen on MiLB.tv. The radio stream can be found on TuneIn Radio with Tim Pozsgai on the call.
The Scrappers and Eastwood Field will celebrate the Fourth of July on Wednesday with postgame fireworks presented by McDonald's. Wednesday's game is also a Wendy's Wednesday. Fans can buy one ticket for an upper-box seat and get one free with a Wendy's receipt or voucher from participating Wendy's locations.
Wednesday is also Military Appreciation Night. Those who show a valid military ID at the box office receives two free upper box seats. Finally, limited edition Scrappers Fourth of July hats will be autographed by players and will be available for auction for charity.
Thursday is the second Buck Night of the season. Fans can enjoy $1 general admission tickets, $1 draft beer, soda, and hot dogs. Promotion courtesy of Quaker Steak and Lube and 93.3 The Wolf. The Scrappers will also host postgame fireworks courtesy of Chevy All-Stars, 21 WFMJ, WBCB, and Mix 98.9 after Friday's series finale versus the Muckdogs.
For tickets, call the Chevy All-Stars Box Office at 330-505-0000 or click here.