Early Runs and Strong Pitching Carry Scrappers Past Spikes

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Niles, OH- The Mahoning Valley Scrappers jumped out to an early lead and rode the right arm of Gregori Vasquez to a 9-7 win over the State College Spikes. Jesse Berardi and Hosea Nelson each homered and Ernie Clement extended his New York-Penn League leading hitting streak to 18 games.     
            The Scrappers took the first inning lead on an RBI double from Simeon Lucas to score Nolan Jones who reached on a walk with one out.    
            In the bottom of the second inning the Scrappers added two more runs on a two run double from Jones for a 3-0 lead.   
            Mahoning Valley would start to pull away with two more runs in the bottom of the third. Berardi started the scoring with his first professional homerun. Ulysses Cantu contributed to the scoring with an RBI single to push the Scrappers lead to 5-0.  
            After State College cut the Scrappers lead to four runs with a run in the top of the seventh inning, Nelson connected on his first homerun of the season in the bottom of the eighth inning to push the lead back out to five runs at 6-1.
            State College would keep the score close with two runs in the top of the ninth inning, but would fall short of a comeback, falling 6-3.
            Vasquez (3-2) earned the win with six outstanding innings of work. He allowed just two hits and struck out three. Riley Echols followed with two innings of relief. He allowed one unearned run on three hits. Echols walked one and struck out one. Jonathan Teaney finished the game with an inning of relief. Teaney allowed two earned runs on two hits. He struck out two.    
            The Scrappers now will go for their tenth series win of the season on Monday night. Zach Plesac will get the start for Mahoning Valley. First pitch is set for 7:05. Call the Scrappers box office at 330-505-0000 to get your tickets or get them online at www.mvscrappers.com.