Mahoning Valley scored early and never let up.
By STEVE RUMAN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NILES — Just as the Mahoning Valley is experiencing one of its most extended heat waves of the summer, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers also are beginning to turn up the heat.
The Scrappers on Wednesday extended their winning streak to a season-high four games with a 7-2 home win over State College in front of 2,960 fans.
The win puts the Scrappers (21-20) over the .500 mark for the first time since July 12 when they were 12-11.
With three straight wins over State College (19-22), the Scrappers also secured their first sweep of the season.
At the start of the game, the Eastwood Field thermometer read 90 degrees. The Scrappers bats were just as hot as they knocked out 16 base hits.
Mike Valadez (3-for-4), Jansy Infante (3-for-4, one RBI) and Todd Martin (3-for-5, one RBI) led the offensive attack. Martin is batting a league-best .393.
As they did in the first two games of the series, the Scrappers scored early, then never relinquished the lead.
Making things happen
Martin led off the bottom of the second with a single. After Matt Brown struck out, it appeared Martin would be erased as part of a double play when Nick Petrucci hit a comebacker to the pitchers mound. However, both base runners were safe when Joanniel Suero's throw sailed into center field.
Dustin Realini then made Suero pay for his error when he laced a double to the gap in left, plating a pair of runs.
One inning later, the Scrappers would extend their lead to 3-0 when Matt Thompson led off with a single, then scored on a one-out base hit off the bat of Brown.
"We've been jumping on teams early, and that's been a huge part of our success," Scrappers manager Tim Laker said. "Having an early lead gives the pitcher a bit of a comfort zone where he doesn't feel like he has to be perfect on every pitch. Our offense is really beginning to click."
Meanwhile, Scrappers starter Joanniel Montero (5-1) continued to maintain his status as the ace of the Scrappers starting rotation.
The right-hander worked five innings, surrendering two runs while scattering eight hits. He is 5-0 in his last five starts, with a 1.77 earned run average in during the stretch.
"We got another strong start tonight, and our defense also made some solid plays to keep them off the board early. All in all, it was a good team effort," Laker said.
The opposition
State College scored its first run of the game in the fourth when Keanon Simon and Justin Byler led off the inning with back-to-back singles.
Two outs later, Simon scored from third on a Miles Durham sacrifice fly.
The Spikes added their only other run of the game in the sixth when Byler was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, then later scored on a Smelin Perez ground out.
James Brettl relieved Montero in the fifth and worked two innings without allowing a base runner. Daniel Morales pitched the final two innings, surrendering just one hit.
Meanwhile, beginning with the fifth inning, the Scrappers tacked on single runs in four consecutive innings.
Brown picked up an RBI on a sacrifice fly. Infante singled home a run in the sixth.
Petrucci gave the Scrappers a 6-2 advantage in the seventh with a sacrifice fly that scored a run, then Martin closed out the hit parade in the eighth with a two-out single that plated Valadez.
Scrappers leadoff hitter Adam White, who logged just one hit but reached base four times, said he isn't surprised with the Scrappers' recent success.
"The really neat thing is that each night it seems like someone else is stepping up and getting a clutch hit," White said. "Todd and Jansy have been consistent all year long, but now you're seeing other guys step up."
"They say hitting is contagious, and that seems to be true. Right now, we're having a lot of fun," White saidd.
The Scrappers return to Eastwood Field tonight when they begin a three-game series against Williamsport.
———
STATE COLLEGE SCRAPPERS
ab r h bi ab r h bi
Friday ss 4 0 1 0 White cf 5 1 1 0
Simon cf 3 1 1 0 Thompson ss 5 1 2 0
Byler 1b 3 1 1 0 Infante 2b 4 1 3 1
Walker c 4 0 1 0 Martin 1b 5 1 3 1
Durham dh 3 0 1 1 Brown rf 3 1 1 2
Perez 3b 4 0 0 1 Petrucci lf 3 1 1 1
Huber rf 4 0 2 0 Realini 3b 4 0 1 2
RCavagnaro 2b 4 0 1 0 Jenkins dh 4 0 1 0
Barksdale lf 3 0 1 0 Valadez c 4 1 3 0
Totals 32 2 9 2 Totals 37 7 16 7
State College 000 101 000 — 2
Scrappers 021 011 11x — 7
E—Suero (2). DP—State College 1, Scrappers 2. LOB—State College 6, Scrappers 10. 2B—Realini (1).
IP H R ER BB SO
State College
Suero L, 1-3 5 10 4 3 0 2
Williams 1 3 1 1 0 0
Felix 1.2 3 2 2 2 2
Charry 0.1 0 0 0 0 0
Scrappers
Montero W, 5-1 5 8 2 2 0 2
Brett H 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
Morales 2 1 0 0 1 0
WP—Felix 2. HBP—by Monterom (Byler),. Umpires—Home, Justin Sassaman; Bases, Ross Nickel; T—2:50. A—2,960.
HOW THEY SCORED
Scrappers second — Todd Martin singled up the middle. Matt Brown struck out swinging. Nick Petrucci reached on throwing error by the pitcher attempting a forceout at second, Martin advanced to second. Dustin Realini doubled to the gap in left-center, Martin and Petrucci scored. Justin Jenkins singled up the middle, Realini advanced to third. Mike Vaaladez flew out to center. Adam White reached on fielders choice, Jenkins was forced out at second 4-U. Two runs, three hits, one error, two runners left on base.
Scrappers third — Mark Thompson singled up the middle. Jansy Infante singled to left, Thompson advanced to second. Martin flew out to center, Thompson advanced to third. Brown singled to right, Thompson scored, Infante advanced to third. Nick Petrucci grounded out 1-3, Infante advanced to third, Brown advanced to second. Realini popped out to third. One run, three hits, two men left on base.
State College fourth — Keanon Simon singled up the middle. Justin Byler singled to left, Simon advanced to second. Andrew Walker grounded out 4-3, Simon advanced to third, Byler advanced to second. Miles Durham flew out to center, Simon scored, Byler advanced to third. Snelin Perez grounded out 6-3. One run, two hits, one man left on base.
Scrappers fifth — Jansy Infante reached on infield single. Martin singled to right, Infante advanced to third. Brown flew out to center, Infante scored. Petrucci singled to left-center, Martin advanced to second. Realini flew out to left, Martin advanced to third. Jenkins reached on fielders choice, Petrucci was forced out at second 6-4. One run, three hits, one man left on base.
State College sixth — Byler was hit by a pitch. Walker singed to right, Byler advanced to second. Durham grounded out 6-3, Byler advanced to third, Walker advanced to second. Perez grounded out 5-3, Byler scored, Walker advanced to third. Erik Huber flew out to left. One run, one hit, one man left on base.
Scrappers sixth — Valadez singled to left. White reached on fielders choice, Valadez forced out at second 1-6. Thompson singled to right, White advanced to second. Infante singled past the second baseman, White scored, Thompson advanced to second. Martin grounded into 6-4-3 double play, Infante forced out at second 6-4. One run, three hits, one man left on base.
Scrappers seventh — Brown walked. Brown stole second base. Brown advanced to third on wild pitch. Petrucci flied out to left, Brown scored from third. Realini struck out swinging. Jenkins grounded out 1-3. One run, no hits, no runners left on base.
Scrappers eighth — Mike Valadez singled to center. Valadez advanced to second on wild pitch. White singled to left, Valadez advaned to third. White caught stealing 2-6. Thompson struck out swinging. Infante walked. Martin singled to center, Valadez scored, Infante advanced to third, Martin advanced to second on throwing error. Brown grounded out to 6-3. One run, three hits, one error, two men left on base.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Mahoning Valley scored early and never let up.
By STEVE RUMAN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NILES — Just as the Mahoning Valley is experiencing one of its most extended heat waves of the summer, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers also are beginning to turn up the heat.
The Scrappers on Wednesday extended their winning streak to a season-high four games with a 7-2 home win over State College in front of 2,960 fans.
The win puts the Scrappers (21-20) over the .500 mark for the first time since July 12 when they were 12-11.
With three straight wins over State College (19-22), the Scrappers also secured their first sweep of the season.
At the start of the game, the Eastwood Field thermometer read 90 degrees. The Scrappers bats were just as hot as they knocked out 16 base hits.
Mike Valadez (3-for-4), Jansy Infante (3-for-4, one RBI) and Todd Martin (3-for-5, one RBI) led the offensive attack. Martin is batting a league-best .393.
As they did in the first two games of the series, the Scrappers scored early, then never relinquished the lead.
Making things happen
Martin led off the bottom of the second with a single. After Matt Brown struck out, it appeared Martin would be erased as part of a double play when Nick Petrucci hit a comebacker to the pitchers mound. However, both base runners were safe when Joanniel Suero's throw sailed into center field.
Dustin Realini then made Suero pay for his error when he laced a double to the gap in left, plating a pair of runs.
One inning later, the Scrappers would extend their lead to 3-0 when Matt Thompson led off with a single, then scored on a one-out base hit off the bat of Brown.
"We've been jumping on teams early, and that's been a huge part of our success," Scrappers manager Tim Laker said. "Having an early lead gives the pitcher a bit of a comfort zone where he doesn't feel like he has to be perfect on every pitch. Our offense is really beginning to click."
Meanwhile, Scrappers starter Joanniel Montero (5-1) continued to maintain his status as the ace of the Scrappers starting rotation.
The right-hander worked five innings, surrendering two runs while scattering eight hits. He is 5-0 in his last five starts, with a 1.77 earned run average in during the stretch.
"We got another strong start tonight, and our defense also made some solid plays to keep them off the board early. All in all, it was a good team effort," Laker said.
The opposition
State College scored its first run of the game in the fourth when Keanon Simon and Justin Byler led off the inning with back-to-back singles.
Two outs later, Simon scored from third on a Miles Durham sacrifice fly.
The Spikes added their only other run of the game in the sixth when Byler was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, then later scored on a Smelin Perez ground out.
James Brettl relieved Montero in the fifth and worked two innings without allowing a base runner. Daniel Morales pitched the final two innings, surrendering just one hit.
Meanwhile, beginning with the fifth inning, the Scrappers tacked on single runs in four consecutive innings.
Brown picked up an RBI on a sacrifice fly. Infante singled home a run in the sixth.
Petrucci gave the Scrappers a 6-2 advantage in the seventh with a sacrifice fly that scored a run, then Martin closed out the hit parade in the eighth with a two-out single that plated Valadez.
Scrappers leadoff hitter Adam White, who logged just one hit but reached base four times, said he isn't surprised with the Scrappers' recent success.
"The really neat thing is that each night it seems like someone else is stepping up and getting a clutch hit," White said. "Todd and Jansy have been consistent all year long, but now you're seeing other guys step up."
"They say hitting is contagious, and that seems to be true. Right now, we're having a lot of fun," White saidd.
The Scrappers return to Eastwood Field tonight when they begin a three-game series against Williamsport.
———
STATE COLLEGE SCRAPPERS
ab r h bi ab r h bi
Friday ss 4 0 1 0 White cf 5 1 1 0
Simon cf 3 1 1 0 Thompson ss 5 1 2 0
Byler 1b 3 1 1 0 Infante 2b 4 1 3 1
Walker c 4 0 1 0 Martin 1b 5 1 3 1
Durham dh 3 0 1 1 Brown rf 3 1 1 2
Perez 3b 4 0 0 1 Petrucci lf 3 1 1 1
Huber rf 4 0 2 0 Realini 3b 4 0 1 2
RCavagnaro 2b 4 0 1 0 Jenkins dh 4 0 1 0
Barksdale lf 3 0 1 0 Valadez c 4 1 3 0
Totals 32 2 9 2 Totals 37 7 16 7
State College 000 101 000 — 2
Scrappers 021 011 11x — 7
E—Suero (2). DP—State College 1, Scrappers 2. LOB—State College 6, Scrappers 10. 2B—Realini (1).
IP H R ER BB SO
State College
Suero L, 1-3 5 10 4 3 0 2
Williams 1 3 1 1 0 0
Felix 1.2 3 2 2 2 2
Charry 0.1 0 0 0 0 0
Scrappers
Montero W, 5-1 5 8 2 2 0 2
Brett H 2 2 0 0 0 0 0
Morales 2 1 0 0 1 0
WP—Felix 2. HBP—by Monterom (Byler),. Umpires—Home, Justin Sassaman; Bases, Ross Nickel; T—2:50. A—2,960.
HOW THEY SCORED
Scrappers second — Todd Martin singled up the middle. Matt Brown struck out swinging. Nick Petrucci reached on throwing error by the pitcher attempting a forceout at second, Martin advanced to second. Dustin Realini doubled to the gap in left-center, Martin and Petrucci scored. Justin Jenkins singled up the middle, Realini advanced to third. Mike Vaaladez flew out to center. Adam White reached on fielders choice, Jenkins was forced out at second 4-U. Two runs, three hits, one error, two runners left on base.
Scrappers third — Mark Thompson singled up the middle. Jansy Infante singled to left, Thompson advanced to second. Martin flew out to center, Thompson advanced to third. Brown singled to right, Thompson scored, Infante advanced to third. Nick Petrucci grounded out 1-3, Infante advanced to third, Brown advanced to second. Realini popped out to third. One run, three hits, two men left on base.
State College fourth — Keanon Simon singled up the middle. Justin Byler singled to left, Simon advanced to second. Andrew Walker grounded out 4-3, Simon advanced to third, Byler advanced to second. Miles Durham flew out to center, Simon scored, Byler advanced to third. Snelin Perez grounded out 6-3. One run, two hits, one man left on base.
Scrappers fifth — Jansy Infante reached on infield single. Martin singled to right, Infante advanced to third. Brown flew out to center, Infante scored. Petrucci singled to left-center, Martin advanced to second. Realini flew out to left, Martin advanced to third. Jenkins reached on fielders choice, Petrucci was forced out at second 6-4. One run, three hits, one man left on base.
State College sixth — Byler was hit by a pitch. Walker singed to right, Byler advanced to second. Durham grounded out 6-3, Byler advanced to third, Walker advanced to second. Perez grounded out 5-3, Byler scored, Walker advanced to third. Erik Huber flew out to left. One run, one hit, one man left on base.
Scrappers sixth — Valadez singled to left. White reached on fielders choice, Valadez forced out at second 1-6. Thompson singled to right, White advanced to second. Infante singled past the second baseman, White scored, Thompson advanced to second. Martin grounded into 6-4-3 double play, Infante forced out at second 6-4. One run, three hits, one man left on base.
Scrappers seventh — Brown walked. Brown stole second base. Brown advanced to third on wild pitch. Petrucci flied out to left, Brown scored from third. Realini struck out swinging. Jenkins grounded out 1-3. One run, no hits, no runners left on base.
Scrappers eighth — Mike Valadez singled to center. Valadez advanced to second on wild pitch. White singled to left, Valadez advaned to third. White caught stealing 2-6. Thompson struck out swinging. Infante walked. Martin singled to center, Valadez scored, Infante advanced to third, Martin advanced to second on throwing error. Brown grounded out to 6-3. One run, three hits, one error, two men left on base.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Just as the Mahoning Valley is experiencing one of its most extended heat waves of the summer, the Mahoning Valley...
