Scrappers Fall in Rain Soaked Opener

June 19, 2017

Morgantown, WV- The Mahoning Valley Scrappers and West Virginia Black Bears locked into a classic pitcher's duel on opening night. The two teams were scoreless after six innings before rain forced an hour delay. After the delay the Black Bears would strike for three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to take top the Scrappers, 3-0 on opening day.
            The Scrappers managed just three hits through the first six innings of the game. Will Benson, Oscar Gonzalez and Samad Taylor all collected base hits. Nolan Jones would then start the seventh inning with a base hit before the tarp was pulled.
            After waiting out the rain for over an hour, Ulysses Cantu would single to resume the game. Despite having runners on first and second and nobody out, the Scrappers could not get on the board.
            West Virginia would then strike for all the runs they needed in the bottom of the inning. Matt Diorio led off and was hit by a Luis Araujo pitch. Yoel Gonzalez then singled with one out to put runners at second and third when he advanced on a throw to the plate. Garrett Brown followed with a pinch hit two run single to score Diorio and Gonzalez. Raul Siri followed with an RBI double to score Brown for the 3-0 lead.
            Mahoning Valley would get just one more baserunner the final two innings while striking out a total of 16 times.
            Francisco Perez started and took a no decision in 5.0 innings. He allowed just three hits while striking out 4 and walking 2. Jean Carlos Mejia followed with 1.0 inning of scoreless relief. Mejia struck out 2 and did not allow a baserunner. Araujo (0-1) took the loss in 1.0 inning of work. He allowed 3 runs, all earned, on 3 hits. Araujo walked 1 and struck out 2. Luis Santos pitched the final inning. He struck out 2 and did not allow a runner.
The Scrappers finish their two game series with the Black Bears on Tuesday night at 7:05 before returning to Eastwood Field for the home opener on Wednesday night. Grant Hockin will get the start on Tuesday. Call the Scrappers box office at 330-505-0000 to get your tickets