SCRAPPERS BOUNCE BACK AGAINST STATE COLLEGE
NILES, OH- Starting out as a pitcher’s duel through the first six innings, the Scrappers rallied late to get their first win of the six-game homestand, 6-3. The win was much needed after losing six of their last eight games.
State College started the scoring in the top of the 3rd. They took an early 1-0 lead after a deep sacrifice fly to right field. Right fielder Zaid Walker made a great throw, but the runner was called safe on a bang, bang play.
The Scrappers answered in the bottom half of the inning. Duncan Hewitt blooped a broken-bat single into right field to score Mathieu Vallee with the bases loaded. Sam Crail followed with another bases-loaded single giving the Scrappers a 2-1 lead.
In the top of the 6th State College took a 3-2 lead. They tied the game after a groundout to second bringing home the runner from third. With runners on first and third State College took the lead after catcher Jack Kelly caught a runner stealing second allowing the runner on third to score on the throw.
The Scrappers took control of the game in the bottom of the 7th. With the bases loaded Kelly tied the game with a single up the middle. He was followed by Branden Comia who hit a sacrifice fly to deep center scoring the runner from third. Crail busted the game wide open the next at-bat driving two runs in with a single just over the second baseman’s head.
Crail was named Baird Brothers Player of the Game going 2-4 at the plate with three RBIs and two singles. Dan Harwood also had a multi-hit game. He went 2-4 at the plate with a walk and a run scored. The rest of the offense was firing on all cylinders racking up 11 hits and 11 walks as a unit. Nine different batters had base hits tonight, and all 11 Scrappers hitters that made a plate appearance reached base safely at some point throughout the game.
Right-handed starter Cole Ayers threw a strong five innings and worked his way into the 6th. He allowed two runs and only one hit. He walked four and struck out two. He was pulled after walking the leadoff batter in the 6th. The rest of the staff was strong as well allowing only one run and three hits while striking out five and walking two.
Tomorrow the Scrappers will try to take the series, playing game 3 at Eastwood Field against State College tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Tomorrow is also Buck Night presented by Quaker Steak & Lube, fans can purchase general admission tickets, 12 oz. domestic draft beer, hot dogs, 12 oz. fountain drinks all for one dollar apiece. It is also TikTok Night, fans can make a TikTok and it will be posted on the scoreboard using #mvscrappers.
*Story courtesy of mvscrappers.com/Jordan Boitnott
