Scrappers rally late, tops Spikes 4-1

By rscaife
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Updated: June 19, 2018

By BRIAN CARSON

UNIVERSITY PARK – Mahoning Valley remained unbeaten on the young New York-Penn League season thanks to a near perfect team pitching performance in a 4-1 victory over the State College Spikes Monday evening at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Mahoning Valley pitchers Adoni Kery, Dakody Clemmer, Manuel Alvarez, and Erik Algerin combined for a three-hitter, allowing an unearned run with seven strikeouts and four walks. Clemmer (1-0) picked up the victory, while Alvarez had the hold and Algerin recorded his first save of the season.

Jim Voyles, despite giving up just one run on two hits in 4 and 1/3 innings, suffered the loss for the Spikes.

The Scrappers (4-0) got on the scoreboard in the second inning when Elvis Perez took a 1-0 fastball over the right-field fence for a 384-foot jack and a 1-0 Mahoning Valley advantage.

Mahoning Valley added three insurance runs in the ninth when Tyler Freeman singled up the middle and Michael Tinsley ripped a double to deep right plating Freeman. The Scrappers made it 4-0 after Gianpaul Gonzalez connected with a bases-loaded, two-run knock to right.

State College (2-2) avoided the shutout with a run in the bottom of the ninth. Delvin Perez started things off with an infield single, Jake Toerner followed with a base hit to right with Perez scoring on a throwing error by Scrapper right fielder Clark Scolamiero.

Algerin ended any hope of a Spikes rally by inducing a Stanley Espinal ground out to first and Lars Nootbaar flied out to left.

State College had a chance to score in the fifth inning when Wadye Ynfante was hit by a pitch, went to second on a groundout, and took third on a wild pitch. A Matt Duce grounder to second ended the inning and a golden opportunity for a much-needed run.

The Scrappers out-hit the Spikes 7-3 in front of an announced crowd of 2,005. Freeman and Perez led Mahoning Valley with two hits each, while Gonzalez had two RBIs for the Scrappers.

State College takes on Mahoning Valley in the middle game of the three-game series today. First pitch takes place at 7:05 p.m.