State College, PA- The Mahoning Valley Scrappers raced out to a four run lead over the first four innings on Monday night versus the State College Spikes and never looked back. The Scrappers would use the early offense and dominant pitching on the way to a 5-1 win at Medlar
State College, PA- The Mahoning Valley Scrappers raced out to a four run lead over the first four innings on Monday night versus the State College Spikes and never looked back. The Scrappers would use the early offense and dominant pitching on the way to a 5-1 win at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
In the top of the first inning, Nolan Jones would double with one out. Jones would score the game's first run when Ulysses Cantu singled with two outs for the 1-0 lead.
The Scrappers would start to pull away from the Spikes in the top of the fourth inning. Jesse Berardi started the inning with a single and a stolen base. With one out, Jonathan Laureano tripled to drive in Berardi. Following the triple, Simeon Lucas was hit by a pitch to put runners at the corners. Mike Rivera followed and collected his first professional hit and RBI to drive in Laureano. Ernie Clement followed with a single to load the bases. The hit extended Clement's hitting streak to a team high eleven games. Jones then followed with a sacrifice fly to drive in Lucas for a 4-0 Scrappers lead.
Mahoning Valley would add on their final run of the game in the top of the sixth inning. After Austen Wade reached on a two out, two base error, Cantu delivered his second RBI single of the game for a 5-0 lead.
State College would threaten in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with no outs, but would only get one run.
James Karinchak started and took a no decision in three innings of work. He scattered three hits and struck out two. Felix Tati (2-2) picked up the win with five strong innings of relief. Tati allowed two hits and walked two while striking out three. Ping-Hsueh Chen would go just 0.1 of an inning in relief. He allowed one earned run on two hits. Chen walked two and struck out one. Kyle Nelson (3) earned the save in 0.2 of an inning. He did not allow a baserunner.
The Scrappers will go for their fifth series win in a row on Tuesday night against the Spikes. Gregori Vasquez will start for the Scrappers. First pitch is set for 7:05. The Scrappers will return home for another PNC Bank Thursday Buck Night on July 27th. Call the Scrappers box office at 330-505-0000 to get your tickets or get them online at www.mvscrappers.com.
