Tag Archive for: Baseball

YOUNGSTOWN PICKS ITS SPOT IN WORLD SEMI-FINAL GAME

LAREDO, TX- The Youngstown Class B All-Stars were down 3-0 to start Sunday night’s semi-final game.  The boys from the 330 waited for their time in the game to strike, and when they did- they never looked back.

Youngstown snatched the lead late in the game in an 8-3 victory over Brownsville on Sunday. The game was tied at three with Youngstown batting in the bottom of the fifth when Gage Gilliot hit a grand slam on a 0-2 count, to give Youngstown the lead for good.  The irony of the situation was that Brownsville had intentionally walked Tim Quinn in order to set up a double play situation against Gilliot.  Gage had other ideas.

Youngstown earned the victory despite allowing Brownsville to score three runs in the first inning. Brownsville‘s big inning was driven by singles by Jose GutierrezAngel Solis Jr., and David Benitez.

Brownsville, TX fired up the offense in the first inning, when Gutierrez singled on a 0-2 count, scoring one run.

Youngstown, OH knotted the game up at three in the bottom of the fourth inning, when a wild pitch scored one run for Youngstown.

Aiden Kelly was on the mound for Youngstown, OH. The ace went one inning, allowing three runs on three hits.  However, the real story was the relief work of Joe Roth.  The Austintown native pitched six innings from the pen while giving up no hits, and no runs the rest of the way.  The standout had not pitched an inning since June 19th in a competitive setting before Sunday’s relief appearance.

Angel Larranaga led things off on the hill for BrownsvilleLarranaga lasted four and a third innings, allowing eight hits and seven runs while striking out two. Eduardo Guerrero threw one and two-thirds innings out of the bullpen.

Youngstown racked up ten hits. Gilliot and Gavin Miller all managed multiple hits for YoungstownMiller and Gilliot each managed two hits to lead YoungstownYoungstown, OH didn’t commit a single error in the field.

 

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HUNTING GREATNESS; FORMER WILDCAT GETS HIS SHOT

STRUTHERS, OH- It’s a dream of every baseball player to someday pitch in a professional setting.  For Struthers alum, Hunter Stellato, his shot came sooner than he expected- and closer than he ever dreamt.

Stellato was signed to a deal with the hometown Mahoning Valley Scrappers, who are one of six teams competing in the inaugural Major League Draft League this week.  At the time of the interview, Stellato was scheduled to start on Friday, July 30th, but his start was moved up even further to that Thursday- in which Stellato let up a few runs, but made a ton of fans as the hometown hero.

YSN’s Eric Hughes caught up with the man of the hour in our Mahoning Valley Scrappers Player Profile: Hunting Greatness.

VASS PITCHES GEM; BOARDMAN ADVANCES TO FINAL FOUR

BOARDMAN, OH- Even at the youthful age of 9, Boardman’s Michael Vass has an unbelievable perspective on life.  “My grandfather is in the hospital with cancer… so everything I did tonight, I did for him.”  Seemingly everything Vass did on Monday night was on point, as he led his teammates to an 8-3 victory over Cuyahoga Falls to advance in the 10U Little League State Championship Tournament.

Vass went 5 1/3 innings strong on the bump stacking up 6 strikeouts against a heavy-hitting offense.  Michael also went 1-3 at the dish with an RBI to contribute to the victory on offense.  Although, the leader for the maroon and white was Ricky “Go-Go” Gozur, who went 2-4 with 2 RBI and set the tone for Boardman at the dish.  Leadoff man, Dom Italiano, Chase Willis, and Gavin Sentner stacked up two-hit performances as well.  While Jordan Hodge, and Kyle Triveri contributed a hit to the cause as well.

With the victory, Boardman will face another elimination game against a familiar opponent annually, in New Albany.  The first pitch is set for 6pm on L1 at the Boardman Field of Dreams.  The game can also be seen on Your Sports Network.

(ysnlive.com/live)

SCRAPPERS COMEBACK FINISHES IN TIE

NILES, OH- After digging an early 9-1 hole in the 5th the Mahoning Valley Scrappers made an epic comeback in the rubber match of their three-game series with the West Virginia Black Bears. They scratched and clawed their way back into the game and took the 9-9 tie into the bottom of the 9th. After three straight walks to load the bases the game would end when Jack Kelly launched a ball that was caught on the warning track by West Virginia’s center fielder. Since game three ended in a tie the series ends in a tie, with each team winning a game apiece.

The Scrappers didn’t wait long, they scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the 1st. Bobby Sparling singled into the right-center gap scoring Mathieu Vallee making the score 1-0.

West Virginia had a strong answer the next half-inning. In the top of the 2nd, the Black Bears plated three runs on four hits to take a 3-1 lead. The Scrappers had runners on first and second with no outs in the bottom part of the 2nd and West Virginia killed their momentum by turning a triple play. The turn came from a pop-up bunt hit by Jarrod Belbin and a diving catch by pitcher Zach Bravo that led to both runners being caught between bases.

Grant Hussey extended West Virginia’s lead to 4-1 with a solo shot in the top of the 4th. The ball traveled 416 feet and hit the right-center scoreboard (via Prep Baseball Report). West Virginia benefited after another solo homer was hit by Garrett Spain in the 5th. His homer also went to right-center and traveled 430 feet. That was just the beginning as they’d score four more in the 5th extending the Black Bears’ lead to 9-1.

In the bottom of the 5th, the Scrappers had a big inning. They scored five runs of their own to cut the Black Bears’ lead to three. The inning began with four straight walks issued by West Virginia pitcher J.P. Massey. Trent “Buck” Anderson followed with an RBI when he grounded into a fielder’s choice to second base. The big damage came when Bobby Sparling blasted a three-run homer 400 feet to left-center. When the Scrappers were finished the score was 9-6.

The Scrappers just kept coming, in the bottom of the 7th they scored another three runs to tie the game at 9-9. Branden Comia hit a two-run double, cutting the lead to one and Belbin singled scoring him in the next at-bat to tie the game.

As mentioned above the Scrappers loaded the bases in the 9th but fell short of capping off the comeback with a win.

The offense combined for eight hits and 11 walks. Sparling and Comia led the way with multi-hit games. Sparling went 2-5 with a homer and a single. He drove in four and scored one. Comia was 2-3 with a single, double, and two walks. He also scored two runs and drove in two.

Scrappers’ pitching struggled early. Starter Cole Ayers didn’t have his best stuff, giving up four runs and six hits in four innings while striking out five. Kerry Wright relieved Ayers of his duties in the 5th. In the one inning, he pitched he struggled giving up five runs on five hits. He worked his way into the 6th but didn’t record an out after the first runner reached on an error and he gave up a walk. Relievers Eric Sapp, Trevor Olsen, and Jacob DeLabio closed the game strong, not allowing West Virginia to score in the final four innings.

These teams are about as evenly matched as can be. Today’s tie keeps the season series between the two teams tied at (5-5-2). The Scrappers will take a .5 game lead over West Virginia in the MLB Draft League and a 17-10-2 record into their four-game road trip.

The Scrappers will leave The Valley to play two games at State College and another pair in Williamsport. The Scrappers will return next Sunday on the Fourth of July at 7:05 p.m. to face West Virginia for another two-game series at Eastwood Field. The night will feature Fourth of July Fireworks presented by April Cheney – Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway, 21 WFMJ & WBCB and Mix 98.9. It is also Every Sunday Matters; fans can bring canned goods for Second Harvest Food Bank or new children’s books for a free general admission ticket to the game.

To purchase tickets to the Fourth of July and the remainder of the upcoming homestand you can visit the Chevy Allstars Box Office, call 330-505-0000.

 

*Story contributed by mvscrappers.com

SHRUMBODY SPECIAL

WARREN, OH- “How cool is it that Warren JFK got to the state title game in baseball too?”

That was the question floating around the greater Youngstown area on Saturday night.  However, for at least one young man, getting to the game just wasn’t enough.

For Junior, Gavin Shrum, he needed more.  For his teammates, for his school, for his family, and for himself.  Just months after falling in the state championship contest in football, Shrum had promised himself that if he ever had another chance at the “gold trophy” he wouldn’t let the opportunity slip away if he had anything to do with it.  So in a bit warmer climate of sunny Akron, Ohio, the young pitcher would be handed the ball for a chance to etch his, and his teammates’ names in the record books at John F. Kennedy Catholic School forever.

Many looked at the situation and said “it was a great run” and “who would have thought 11 boys could make it this far?”

Shrum saw a chance to avenge a loss that still haunted him.  He saw a chance to prove that a team needs 9 to play in baseball, and the grit, skill, and determination would handle the rest.

Simply put, Shrum saw his moment- and he owned it.

We caught up with the state champ to discuss what things were like leading up to the game, as well as the moments after, and MUCH more.  Enjoy this week’s Warren JFK Player Profile: Shrumbody Special.

PRESENTED BY

 

WITH ICE RUNNING THROUGH HIS VEINS

WARREN, OH- It’s a rarity to encounter a young student-athlete that “the moment” never outgrows.  Ladies and Gentlemen: Let us reintroduce Warren JFK’s Michael Mauro.  The junior multi-sport party starter with more ice running through him than a snowplow on a cold day in February.

The kid is unshakable.

He’s a once-in-a-lifetime type leader, who knows what to say, and when to say it.  Oh, and by the way, he walks the walk as well.  Typically suited to come through in clutch situations in football with his relentless pursuit to find the sticks, Mauro has become a bulldog with a nose for the goal line as well.  However, this baseball season, Mauro became the voice of reason as well as one of the 11 young men who held the trophy high in the state’s final baseball game.

Mauro helped propel the Eagles to their first-ever baseball state title and learned some important lessons along the way that will help him push towards gold this fall as well.

We caught up with “The Ice Man” Michael Mauro for this week’s Warren JFK Player Profile!

PRESENTED BY

RAIDERS COMEBACK FALLS SHORT OF STATE TICKET

MASSILLON, OH- Saturday’s game against Canton Central Catholic was a heartbreaker for South Range Raiders, as they lost the lead late in a 6-4 defeat. The game was tied at four with Canton Central Catholic batting in the bottom of the sixth when an error scored one run for Canton Central Catholic.

South Range lost despite out-hitting Canton Central Catholic seven to six.

Johnson was the winning pitcher for Canton Central Catholic. The bulldog surrendered two runs on two hits over two and two-thirds innings, striking out two.

Garrett Sheets took the loss for South RangeSheets went one and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on three hits, striking out one and walking zero.

Billy Skripac started the game for South Range. The pitcher allowed three hits and three runs over four and a third innings, striking out seven Harris started the game for Canton Central Catholic. Harris lasted four and a third innings, allowing five hits and two runs while striking out five

South Range smacked one home run on the day when Trey Pancake went yard in the sixth inning.

PancakeMikie PerryStevie RohanBrandon MikosMichael MarkulinCorey Penick, and Aidan English all had one hit to lead the Raiders.

Baum went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead Canton Central Catholic in hits.

 

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GAME PHOTOS: HERE

SCRAPPERS TOO MUCH FOR KEYS

FREDERICK, MD- The Mahoning Valley Scrappers were tasked with snapping their first losing streak of the season on Wednesday and did just that in a 15-1 victory over the Frederick Keys.

An emotional start for the newest Scrapper, and former YSU Penguin, Collin Floyd.  The man known as “The Barber” gave a quality outing in his first start, striking out 7 in four innings while scattering a pair of hits while giving up just one run.

Offensively for Mahoning Valley, Trent Buck Anderson led the way with a 2-for-2 night while drawing four walks, and driving in a run.  Bobby Sparling and Tommy Benson each drove in 3 runs for the Scrappers en route to victory.  Jason Hinchman, and Ethan Kavanagh each drove in a pair, respectively.

These two teams will be back at it on Thursday to wrap up the series, first pitch is set for 6:30 on YSNLive.com/scrappers.

RHODES NAMED 2021 YSN BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

EAST PALESTINE, OH- Salem’s Lane Rhodes has been named 2021 Your Sports Network Baseball Player of the Year.

Rhodes has led his Quakers on both sides of the diamond to a 26-3 record and has Salem believing in the “Quaker 9” in 2021.  Rhodes’ selection is more than just numbers on a stat sheet, it’s what he’s done, and who he’s been for this team during his senior campaign.  However, make no mistake about it, The Quaker Captain has been nothing short of impressive along the way.

On the bump, Rhodes has posted a 7-0 record over his opposition, which includes 55.1 innings pitched, a .88 ERA, striking out 66 batters, and posting a pair of complete-game tournament victories at the time of publication.  Oh, and not to mention a no-hitter against his team’s top rival, West Branch.  Defensively, Rhodes also played all over the infield, and wherever he was needed with stints at third base, shortstop, and at first base as well.

Offensively, “Big Game Lane” showed up, and showed off to the tune of a .384 batting average, with 33 hits, with nearly half of those going for extra bases (12 doubles, 2 triples, and 1 home run.)  Rhodes also served as a table-setter in the 3-hole this season, scoring 33 times, driving in 20 runs, and stealing 11 bags along the way.

Again, although the stats are outstanding, it’s the intensity and leadership that Lane Rhodes provides that set him apart this season from each nominee.

While Lane looks to continue his Quaker career in Akron, his next steps will be toward Youngstown as he will join the roster of the YSU Penguins this Fall to continue his academic and athletic career.

Congratulations to Lane Rhodes for a great high school baseball career, and best of luck in all he does moving forward!

MIKOS NAMED 2021 YSN PITCHER OF THE YEAR

EAST PALESTINE, OH- South Range standout pitcher, Brandon Mikos, has been named 2021 Your Sports Network Baseball Pitcher of the Year.

Mikos, a senior, has put together quite the season for the Raiders pitching 56 innings and facing 198 batters to the tune of a 9-0 record.  Mikos also has gathered 104 strikeouts while walking only nine the entire season.  Only 25 hits have been scattered throughout the season, while only four have crossed the plate on the Raiders while Brandon Mikos in on the bump.  More impressively, Mikos has an ERA of .250 during his senior campaign.

Brandon looks to continue his athletic and academic careers at Youngstown State University, and join the Penguins in the Fall.

Congratulations to Brandon Mikos on a stellar career, and best of luck in all things moving forward!