SCRAPPERS SECURE SERIES OPENER

By Ty Bartell

NILES OH- The Mahoning Valley Scrappers began their second consecutive home series with a commanding 6-1 victory over the State College Spikes on Tuesday night, kicking off a three-game set. Key hits and strong pitching performances highlighted the Scrappers’ triumph.

Mahoning Valley’s Max Banks started on the mound, opposing State College’s Jason Flores. The game remained scoreless through the first inning. In the bottom of the second, the Scrappers took the lead when Jared Quandt scored on a balk by Flores, putting Mahoning Valley ahead 1-0.

The Spikes quickly responded in the top of the third. Cade Climie hit an RBI single to right field, tying the game at 1-1 and putting runners at the corners with one out. However, Banks induced a 4-6-3 double play to escape the inning without further damage.
Zach Cawyer relieved Banks in the fourth and pitched a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the fourth, with the bases loaded and two outs, Max Johnson delivered a crucial two-run single, restoring the Scrappers’ lead to 3-1.

Cawyer continued to dominate, throwing three scoreless innings and preserving the two-run advantage. In the bottom of the sixth, John Schroeder’s three-run home run to right field extended the Scrappers’ lead to 6-1, earning him Game MVP honors.

Mahoning Valley’s bullpen was stellar, with Kolby Dougan, Darrell Johnson Jr., and Andrew Morones each pitching a scoreless inning in the seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively. The Scrappers’ pitching staff combined for 15 strikeouts.

State College’s Flores, who pitched the first four innings, took the loss. Tyler Boudreau and Chris Stuart each pitched two innings in relief for the Spikes.

The teams will face off again Wednesday night for the second game of the series, as Mahoning Valley improves to 4-3 and State College falls to 5-2 following The Scrappers series opening win.