Tag Archive for: MLB Draft League

EIGHTH INNING PROVES THE KEY FOR FREDERICK

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By Ty Bartell

NILES OH- With rain in the forecast and Mother Nature confused on what month it is, The Mahoning Valley Scrappers and Frederick Keys battled in the second game of a three game home series for The Scrappers on Tuesday night. With a game time start temperature of 59 degrees and the wind blowing, it made for an interesting baseball game in June to say the least. 

Ahmad Harajli toed the rubber for Mahoning Valley while Drew Buhr got the start for Frederick. A couple of two-out walks got Harajli in trouble to start the first before a ground out kept The Keys off the board early. Mahoning Valley would come back in the bottom of the first inning to score the first run of the game off a Colton Coates RBI-single that brought Ny’Zaiah Thompson home, giving Mahoning Valley an early 1-0 advantage. 

Both teams exchanged zeros on the scoreboard, that was until the top of the fourth inning. Following a leadoff single by Irvin Escobar, Harajli would force a flyout before another single was hit by AJ Shaver and the following two batters were walked to tie the game up 1-1 before a wild pitch from Harajli that scored the go-ahead run in Shaver. Harajli would force Luca Danos into a double-play to limit damage and keep The Scrappers within striking distance, trailing 2-1 to The Keys. 

In the top of the fifth inning, Harajli got the first out before loading the bases on a single and two walks, which prompted the pitching change to Alex Shea in the inning. Shea would get a pop fly on the infield prior to a wild pitch that added a run to The Frederick lead with Kendry Maduro coming home on the pitch. Shea would get out of the inning when he caught Ty Hamilton looking to end the inning with two in scoring position. The very next inning, Tervell Johnson got a one out single before stealing both second and third allowing Luca Danos to bring him home on an RBI-single, extending The Keys lead 4-1. 

However, it was the eighth inning that made all the difference. After Shea went two and two-thirds innings of work, keeping Mahoning Valley close, The Scrappers turned to Isaiah Jackson. A bad day at the office for Jackson and the defense spiraling for The Scrappers did not help matters much as Frederick put up eight runs in the eighth inning! After two walks, two wild pitches, an error by Coates and four hits allowed in the inning, two of which extra-base hits with an AJ Shaver two-run homerun and a Ty Hamilton triple, Mahoning Valley pulled the plug and brought in Andrew Lucas, now trailing 12-1 to Frederick. 

No response on the offensive side offered by Mahoning Valley this time around, as The Scrappers sat in stunned silence while The Keys pitching continued to dominate to the tune of 12 strikeouts as a team, while the offense for Frederick walked the line of being both patient and aggressive, walking 13 times as a team while simultaneously recording 13 hits as a ballclub to make up their 12 runs of offense. 

Both teams are back in action on Wednesday evening, as The Scrappers (5-6) will look to salvage the final game in the series while The Keys (6-5) will be looking for the sweep. Trouble making it to the ballpark? We will have you covered! Catch all the live-game action on YSN!

SERIES OPENING COMEBACK FALLS SHORT

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By Ty Bartell


NILES OH- After a week-long road trip facing the likes of Frederick and Williamsport, The Mahoning Valley Scrappers returned home to welcome in The Frederick Keys for the first time this season. Going 3-2 on the previous road trip, The Scrappers and The Keys each took a game off each other at Frederick, with the final game being canceled due to air quality from the wildfires in Canada. 

The Keys sent starter Nolan Santos while Mahoning Valley had Elijah Pleasants on the bump. After getting the initial strikeout in the top of the first, Pleasants walked Jevin Relaford, who went on to steal second base before being brought home, courtesy of a Kendry Maduro RBI-double. Two batters later and The Keys would double their lead after a fielding error allowed Brady Cerkownyk to reach and plate Maduro from second, giving Fredericak an early 2-0 advantage. 

A quiet bottom of the first inning got the Frederick bats right back up in the second, in which they did some more damage. With the bottom of the order due up, The Keys worked back-to-back walks to start the top of the second before both Logan Sanders and Tervel, Johnson executed a double steal that put two in scoring position with no outs. A productive out by Ty Hamilton and an RBI-single from Marcus Sanders cleared the two in scoring position.Racking them back up, Jevin Relaford smacked a one out double in the same inning before another productive out, this time from Maduro, extended the lead 5-0 heading to the bottom of the second. 

Despite The Mahoning Valley bats getting back-to-back one out singles, The Scrappers were once again held without a run as Santos did a great job on the mound limiting damage. After both teams posted zeros in both the third and fourth innings, Frederick broke it all the way open in the top of the fifth. Jacob McKeon started the inning with a single and two batters later Indiana Stanley hit a one out double. With second and third occupied, Logan Sanders batted both runners in with a two RBI-single. Two batters later, Ty Hamilton capped-off the inning going lift-off with a three run blast, giving The Keys a 10-0 lead. Giving Hamilton both his first hit and first homerun of The MLB Draft League season. 

After taking the big shot, it seemed as if Mahoning Valley was down and buried. However, The Scrappers started to rally in the bottom of the seventh. After facing the likes of Nolan Santos and Luis Rodriguez, Mahoning Valley had little luck coming up with the timely hit. The Keys sent out Jordan Hamberg as the third pitcher of the evening to log some innings and keep the lead. Well, The Scrappers were hungry for some offense and Hamberg fed! After walking Anndreaus Lewis II and striking out JR Bedford to follow, it seemed as if it was another “business as usual” inning on the night. Back to the top of the order and Ny’Zaiah Thompson drew the walk before both Lewis II and Thompson stole a base on consecutive pitches to set up second and third for Danny Doligale who delivered a two RBI-single to get The Scrappers on the board. Colton Coates would walk before a Mason Sykes double plated both Doligale and Coates, then, the hometown kid Braeden O’Shaughnessey blasted one to left-center, giving Mahoning Valley a six run bottom of the seventh! Trimming the Frederick lead to just four at 10-6. 

Gant Starling was called to stop the bleeding and get The Keys out of the seventh, after hitting Connor Capece with a pitch, Starling did just that by getting the next two outs in order. After logging four and a third innings in his start, Scrappers starter Elijah Pleasants gave the ball to Nick Consentino who went two and two thirds innings before he handed the ball to Cameron Liss to start the eighth. Despite allowing a single and a walk in the top half of the frame, Liss posted a zero to keep the deficit at four. Starling returned to pitch the bottom of the eighth which he gave up a leadoff single to JR Bedford, who eventually made his way to third, but not before Starling got the first two outs in the inning following the base hit. A wild pitch that was corralled by Stanley and tossed home to Starling, retired Bedford at the dish who was trying to take home. The out got Frederick out of the inning, but at the expense of Gant Starling who injured his left leg making the great play for the out. 

The Scrappers posted another zero to get them to the bottom of the ninth, but new Keys pitcher Logan Tabeling was having none of that comeback talk. Sending Mahoning Valley down in order 1..2..3.. in the bottom of the ninth to seal the victory 10-6 for Frederick. Both The Scrappers (5-5) and The Keys (5-5) will be back in action on Tuesday evening for the second game of the series, scheduled for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch and can be found on YSN

BLACK BEAR RALLY STUNS SCRAPPERS TO SPLIT THE SERIES

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By Ty Bartell


In the final game of the opening four game series over the weekend, The Mahoning Valley Scrappers and The West Virginia Black Bears battled in some MLB Draft League baseball on Sunday. The Scrappers gained control of the series, winning 7-1 on Saturday, behind some phenomenal pitching. The way Sunday started, it looked like Mahoning Valley would be up to much of the same. 

Starters Brennyn Abendroth (Mahoning Valley) and Ryan Schiefer (West Virginia) took to the mound for their respective teams. Both starters dueled in pitching a clean first inning, including Schiefer striking out the side to start. Working some walks in the bottom of the second, Mahoning Valley was able to strike for the initial lead off a wild pitch and a Dante Leach two RBI-single giving The Scrappers a 3-0 advantage. 

Abendroth struggled with his command in the top half of the third inning, walking two and allowing a single to load the bases with nobody out in the inning. Abendroth would strike out the next two in order before an additional walk issued to Black Bears catcher Justin Fogel got West Virginia on the board; however, Abendroth limited damage to a single run, preserving a 3-1 Mahoning Valley lead. 

Both teams pitched the next couple of innings cleanly, with new arms making appearances for both teams with Alex Pipes coming on for West Virginia and Cameron Bye for Mahoning Valley. The Scrappers added to their advantage in the bottom of the fifth off a Mason Sykes RBI-double, a wild pitch and a Colton Coates RBI-Single to double the offensive output in the game and take a 6-1 lead!

The following half inning, Black Bears nine hole hitter Tre Hondras delivered a big two-out two-run single to take two back from The Mahoning Valley lead, now 6-3 heading to the bottom of the sixth. After a scoreless bottom of the sixth, West Virginia struck again in the top of the seventh. Once again, coming with two outs in the inning, The Black Bears brought two more around to score off a Justin Fogel RBI-single and an error on DJ Butler coming within just a single run of The Scrappers. 

Mahoning Valley went quietly in the bottom of the inning and both teams posted zeros in the eighth. Then, in the top of the ninth, West Virginia tied the game up with one out in the inning on a potential double play ball that only got one. An error on the throw to first by DJ Butler allowed the tying run to score before Brody Fahr delivered in the clutch with a two-out RBI-triple to score Devyn Lopez from second and give The Black Bears their first lead 7-6. 

The Scrappers got the tying run on when Mason Sykes smacked his second double of the day and advanced to third off a wild pitch by new Black Bears pitcher John Bakke. However, Bakke would record a strikeout of Andreaus Lewis II to leave the tying run stranded 90 feet away and, more importantly, even the series up for West Virginia off the 7-6 win. 

Both The Black Bears and The Scrappers will have Monday off before starting their next series on Tuesday. West Virginia (2-2) will be home when they start a three game series against Williamsport (0-4) for their home opening series. Mahoning Valley (2-2) will hit the road for the first time this season, starting a three game set with The Frederick Keys (1-3) on Tuesday, June 6th. Catch The Scrappers next home game on Monday, June 12th where they will host The Frederick Keys. 

SCRAPPERS REGAIN CONTROL OF SERIES

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By Ty Bartell

NILES OH- After each squad taking a game a piece in the first two contests of the opening series, The Mahoning Valley Scrappers and The West Virginia Black Bears once again met on the diamond of Eastwood Field. Tyson Heaten started for West Virginia while Tony Rossi toed the rubber for Mahoning Valley.

Tre Hondras led-off the top of the first inning with a single to center field and eventually swiped second later in the inning. Scrappers starter Tony Rossi retired the next two in order before Logan Kohler roped a single to left, scoring Hondras, giving The Black Bears the early lead 1-0. 

After a quiet bottom of the first for Mahoning Valley, Rossi set the Black Bear batting lineup down in order to start the second. The quick inning of work by Rossi allowed The Scrappers to respond in the bottom of the second when Braeden O’Shaugnessy doubled to start the inning and later came around to score courtesy of an AJ Rausch RBI-single! Heaten responded well by limiting damage to just the single run, getting out of the second with the game tied 1-1. 

Following a pair of scoreless innings worked by both teams, The Scrappers pulled ahead in the bottom of the fifth. Ryan Degges took over for West Virginia and issued walks to the first four Scrappers bats of the inning; however, the scoring in the inning came on a passed ball and two wild pitches, giving Mahoning Valley their first lead of the game 4-1! Derek Bolander replaced Rossi in the fifth inning for The Scrappers, after pitching a scoreless fifth, Bolander struck out the side in the sixth to emphatically hold momentum after taking the lead in the previous half inning. 

Colton Coates led off the bottom of the seventh with a hit and would eventually touch home off a JR Bedford RBI-single, the next batter Cole Conn would double to drive home an additional run, extending the lead 6-1! Bolander would work a 1-2-3 seventh, finishing his relief outing with three innings of work, striking out six and allowing no hits! 

Zane Barnhart took over for Mahoning Valley in the eighth where he would pick up where Bolander left off with another inning of sending The Black Bears down in order. Ny’Zaiah Thompson added a run off a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning, making it 7-1 Scrappers, before Joe Glassey came in and shut things down in the ninth, striking out two, giving The Scrappers pitching staff 13 total on the game! 

The win seizes control of the opening series for Mahoning Valley, as The Scrappers (2-1) will conclude their four game set with West Virginia (1-2) on Sunday, June 4th and is slated for a 2:05 p.m. first pitch. Live game and call of all the action can be found on YSN (ysnlive.com).

SCRAPPERS SUFFER FIRST DRAWBACK OF THE SEASON

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By Ty Bartell


NILES OH- In the second game of a four game series, The Mahoning Valley Scrappers, once again, met The West Virginia Black Bears on Eastwood Field. The Scrappers sent Ahmad Harajli to the mound as the starter while West Virginia responded with Cobe Reeves. 

Following the loss in Thursday’s outing, The Black Bears realized the importance of scoring first, hanging three runs in the top of the first inning with Ross Mulhall hitting a two-run shot as an exclamation point on the inning! Scrappers would get a run back in the bottom of the second when Harrison Rodgers belted an RBI-double to trim the deficit to two. 

However, The Black Bears were not to be messed with, responding with six runs in the top of the third and chasing starter Harajli early. On the other side, Cobe Reeves was in a rhythm and rode the wave of momentum through five innings of work, giving up a lone unearned run in his outing. Adding on to their lead once again, West Virginia extended their lead to double digits with RBI hits coming from both Logan Kohler and Devin Saltiban. 

The Scrappers would get three runs back in the bottom of the sixth, courtesy of a two RBI-double by Mason Sykes and an RBI sac fly from Colton Coates. But again, West Virginia was not messing around on offense, re-extending their lead to double digits with a Ryan Grabosch RBI-double and a Brody Fahr RBI-single making it 16-4 West Virginia. 

The 16 runs would be more than enough offense, as the combined pitching efforts of Cobe Reeves, Mitch Dye, Evan Brandt and Brady Choban combined for 12 total strikeouts on the evening. Reeves was credited for the win with his five inning outing as West Virginia evened the opening four game set at a game a piece. 

Both teams will be back at it on Saturday, June 3rd with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch start time. Live coverage of the game can be found on ysnlive.com/live

ONE BIG INNING MAKES FOR FUN OPENING DAY

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By Ty Bartell

For the 25th consecutive season, The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are bringing baseball back to the valley! Led by new skipper Dimitri Young, The Scrappers opened their season against The West Virginia Black Bears for the first of a four game set on June 1st.

West Virginia threw starter Aric McAtee on the mound while Mahoning Valley tossed Elijah Pleasants. Scrappers struck first in the bottom of the first off an RBI fielder’s choice by Cole Conn. The Black Bears responded in the top of the third with a two spot in the inning, capped off by an RBI-single by Nick Iannantone, making it a 2-1 Black Bear lead. 

Adding insurance in the top of the fifth, West Virginia helped their slim lead by doubling it to two runs 3-1. However, The Scrapper had a response, courtesy of Brandon Hylton who smacked an RBI-double in the bottom half of the fifth to take the insurance run right back!

Attempting to, once again, give themselves some breathing room, West Virginia brought a run home after catching a runner up in-between second and third, a wild throw by JR Bedford allowed The Black Bears to recapture their two run advantage. But once again, The Scrappers showed their scrappiness and battled back! Working multiple walks in the bottom of the seventh, Mahoning Valley started a rally with Andreaus Lewis II hitting an RBI-double and once again brought Mahoning Valley within a single run. Dante Leach came up with the big hit that ricocheted off second baseman Maury Weaver’s glove, putting the exclamation point on a five run bottom of the seventh!

Derek Bolander worked the eighth and Joe Glassey closed things out in the ninth for his first save of the season and a 1-0 start to the campaign for The Scrappers! Andrew Lucas picked up the win, working three innings and striking out a pair. Mahoning Valley (1-0) will welcome West Virginia (0-1) back on Friday, June 2nd for their second game in the opening four game set.

SCRAPPERS BEAT STATE COLLEGE IN THREE GAME SERIES

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NILES, OH- The Mahoning Valley Scrappers we’re comeback kids in the 3 game series over the weekend, winning two games in the sudden death frame to snap the 9 game losing skid.

On Saturday night, the Scrappers trailed 5-2 heading into the ninth inning. Alex Crump and Oscar Ponce singled with 1 out to put guys aboard. With 2 outs in the ninth, Parker DePasquale singled into left scoring 1 runner and making it 5-3. The next batter, Abimael Gonzalez-Acosta doubled off the center field wall to tie the ballgame up at 5. In the sudden death frame, Chad Coles came in for a 1,2,3 inning to win the ballgame and snap the 9 game losing streak.

Here is what Abimael Gonzalez-Acosta had to say after his clutch hit in the ninth. Thanks to Alex Arauz for the translation.

Homer Bush Postgame Comments:

On Sunday afternoon in the rubber match, The Scrappers trailed 5-0 heading into the 7th inning. Dom Bucko hit a 3-run home run over the right field bullpen to make it a 5-3 game. In the next inning, DePasquale was clutch again, with an RBI single to make it a 1 run game. Ponce was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and then Jarficur Parker walked to earn a free RBI and tie the game at 5. The game went to the sudden death frame on back to back nights, and the Scrappers would shut down State College to win the series in the rubber match.

The Scrappers ended the 6 game home stand on a positive note, and will travel on the road for 6 games this upcoming week. The Scrappers take on the Williamsport Crosscutters from Tuesday to Thursday, until ending the road trip in Frederick over the weekend. The Scrappers return to Eastwood Field on Tuesday, August 16th to take on State College in a 3 game series.

SCRAPPERS DROP SERIES OPENER TO WEST VIRGINIA

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NILES, OH- West Virginia put up 6 runs in the fourth inning to guide the Black Bears to a series opening victory. West Virginia brought the lumber in game one, putting up 15 hits in the ballgame, including 2 home runs in the victory.

During the 6 run fourth inning for West Virginia, Ryan Hernandez hit a solo shot to left to get the Black Bears started. All with 2 outs, the Black Bears had 4 hits and 5 consecutive runs to take a 6-0 lead. The Scrappers came back with a solo run in the bottom of the fourth inning, with an RBI single by Jarficur Parker.

Mahoning Valley scored 2 more runs in both the 5th and 6th inning’s to make it a 7-5 game after 6 innings of play. West Virginia blanked the Scrappers in the last 3 innings to take the series opening victory by a final of 7-5. The winning pitcher for West Virginia was the reigning MLB Draft League pitcher of the week, Jeremy Cook. He tossed 5 innings, while giving up just 4 hits and 7 strikeouts. The Black Bears and the Scrappers play again tonight at 7 P.M.

MAHONING VALLEY SCRAPES PAST FREDERICK

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NILES, OH- The Scrappers won the series over the Frederick Keys on Tuesday night with a close 5-4 victory. The Scrappers trailed the majority of the game, but a late comeback sparked the win.

The Keys came out swinging in the first three innings, taking a three run lead on two home runs. Ben Fitzgerald sent a ball over the right field wall in the first inning to take a quick 2-0 lead. The next inning, Henriadam Brower hit a solo shot to left field to make it 3-0. The Scrappers would chip away in the third inning scoring two runs on an RBI single by Oscar Ponce. Mahoning Valley would then tie the ballgame up at three on a fielding error in the fourth inning.

Frederick came right back to take the lead in the top of the fifth with an RBI ground out by Alex Baeza. Once again, the Scrappers  tied the ballgame up for the second time with a bloop single by Alex Crump to tie it at four after five innings of play. Later on in the eight inning, Gabe Gonzalez would come up clutch with a single back up the middle to take the first Scrapper’s lead of the ballgame 5-4.

Youngstown State graduate, Chad Coles would seal the deal after coming out of the pen to slam the door in the last two innings. Coles retired all six batters he faced in order to preserve the 5-4 victory. Coles, who has been in and out of the starting rotation this summer, said he felt great coming out of the bullpen in the closing situation:

 

The Scrappers are now over .500 with the win, improving to 3-2. Mahoning Valley looks for the series sweep tonight as they host Frederick in the series finale. First pitch at Eastwood Field is slated for 7:05 P.M. Here is what Scrappers manager Homer Bush had to say after last nights thrilling victory:

SCRAPPERS HANG ON LATE TO WIN SERIES OPENER

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NILES, OH- The Mahoning Valley Scrappers start the second half of the MLB Draft League season with a series opening victory against State College. The Scrappers had a dominant pitching performance from starter Masen Palmier, picking up the win after tossing 6 shutout innings. Palmier pitched to weak contact, giving up only 3 hits and striking out 2 batters.

Here is what Palmier had to say about his pitching performance tonight:

The game was tied after 5 innings, until the Scrappers put together a 3 run inning to strike first. Adam Fogel knocked in 2 runners with a base hit, followed by another RBI single from Gabe Gonzalez. The Scrappers added another in the seventh inning with a Jeff Wehler RBI knock up the middle to make it 4-0.

Things got interesting in the ninth inning, as State College had 4 consecutive walks to open up the frame and get on the board. Scrappers reliever Jan Figueroa came in to pick up the save, and hold on to a 4-3 victory. The Scrappers were led by Adam Fogel at the plate, going 2-4 with the first 2 RBI’s of the ballgame.

Here is what Adam Fogel had to say after his big performance:

The Scrappers return to Eastwood Field tomorrow night against State College at 7:05 P.M. Join D.J. Yokley on the call starting at 6:55.