CAT SCRATCH FEVER; STRUTHERS SCRAPS NILES

STRUTHERS, OH- Michael Scavnicky was on fire, nailing three hits in three at-bats to help Struthers stomp Niles 16-6 at Bob Cene Park on Monday. Scavnicky kept it consistent with singles in the first, third, and fourth innings.

The Red Dragons kicked things off with Brighton Gilmour’s RBI single in the first, but that lead didn’t last long. The Wildcats roared back in the bottom of the first, grabbing a 3-1 lead thanks to a single from Jordan Becker, a walk by Travis McMurray, and Josh Robison getting plunked—all bringing runners home.

The Wildcats piled it on in the third, capitalizing on a couple of Red Dragons’ errors and a wild pitch to push their lead even further. They didn’t stop there, racking up five runs in the fifth inning alone. Scavnicky, Robison, and Anthony Pastella all chipped in with RBIs.

Drew Chizmar scooped up the win for Struthers, despite giving up four runs over three innings. His counterpart, Landon Turner, wasn’t as lucky, getting tagged for 11 runs in his four innings of work. Isaac Wolfe also pitched in with some relief for the Wildcats.

Overall, the Wildcats amassed 11 hits. Robison, batting eighth, made his hits count, driving in three runs. JR Hovanec also had a great day at the plate, hitting 2-for-2. Discipline at the plate was key, as Struthers players walked seven times. They were also a menace on the bases, stealing nine in total.

For the Red Dragons, Kris Hrosar, Brian Parsons, and Gilmour each had two hits. Gilmour, Parsons, and AJ Yost each knocked in a run, with Yost snagging a couple of steals himself.

The Wildcats are set to visit the Red Dragons again on Tuesday to wrap the season series.