Wednesday, June 26, 2002
The Scrappers scored six runs off two homers in a 7-2 win over Auburn.
By BILL SULLIVAN
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NILES -- The Mahoning Valley Scrappers game began Tuesday at 7:07 p.m. and was over by 7:30.
It was right about then that Brian Wright hit the first grand slam home run of the season for a 4-0 first-inning lead over the Auburn Doubledays at Cafaro Field.
The Scrappers (4-4) used Wright's 375-foot homer over the right-field wall, two nifty pitching performances and a variety of mature defensive plays to turn back the Auburn Doubledays 7-2 in the New York-Penn League.
Wright said he wasn't trying for heroics, just trying to make good contact.
"I was just trying to hit something hard; I wasn't trying to hit it out," Wright said.
"Our hitting coach Willie [Aviles] actually said instead of hitting a fly ball with men on base or a man on third base with less than two outs, just try to hit something hard. That's all I tried to do is hit it hard."
Playing well
After being swept by Auburn (5-3) in three games to open the season, the Scrappers have won four of their last five to move within a game of first place in the Pinckney Division.
All that separated the Scrappers from pinning consecutive shutouts on the Doubledays was a misplayed fly ball that plated two unearned runs in the second inning.
"It's been fun to watch them play and exciting to see these guys play like they are capable of playing," Scrappers manager Chris Bando said.
"Our pitchers have been outstanding," he said, adding that pitching coach Ken Rowe has been concentrating on them throwing strikes.
Blake Allen (1-1) went the first five innings and left with a 7-2 lead. He allowed no earned runs and issued no walks.
Simon Young pitched the rest of the game to get the save. He struck out five.
But pitching alone did not tell the tale of this game.
Bryce Uegawachi shrewdly went to third for a sure out in the fifth when a poor throw across his body could have been costly. And, at first base Andy Baxter turned in a nice unassisted double play to end the seventh.
"Our defense has been making all the plays," Bando said. "They've been making good decisions out there; that's what winning ball players do."
Hitting well
The Scrappers scored six runs via a pair of home runs.
"We have a lot of pop in our line up," Bando said. "A lot of bat speed, a lot of strength.
"I look forward to us hitting a lot more before the year is up."
Bando singled out three players who combined for seven hits and six RBIs.
"Brian Wright has been swinging the bat great and [Shaun] Larkin and David Wallace have been swinging hard."
Larkin collected a single and two doubles hitting leadoff.
"He's the ignitor," Bando said. "When he gets on base things happen. He has a good eye at the plate."
Wallace had two hits, one a two-run homer to seal the verdict.
With the early 5-0 lead, Bando sensed Allen could pitch his sort of game.
"It helps them relax," he said of the cushion. "Blake came out and it took some pressure off him. He threw the ball well."
AUBURNMAHONING VALLEY
abrhbiabrhbi
Adams ss4000Larkin 2b5130
Rivera 2b4000Van Every cf2100
German 3b4000Baxter 1b4000
Johnston 1b4110Peavey dh3100
Schneider c3110Wright rf4224
Durazo dh4000Wallace c3222
Siriveau rf4020Guglielmelli 3b3010
Owens cf2010Conroy lf4001
Kimberly lf3000Uegawachi ss4000
Totals32250Totals32787
Auburn020000000--2
Mahoning Valley50002000x--7
E--Conroy. DP--Mahoning Valley 1. LOB--Auburn 5; Mahoning Valley 5. 2B--Johnston, Schneidler, Larkin 2. HR--Wallace, Wright.
IPHRERBBSO
Auburn
Houston L, 0-1255540
Perez432203
Nin100001
Sheffield100001
Mahoning Valley
Allen W, 1-1532002
Young S, 1420005
Umpires--Home, Aaron Banks; second, Charlie Carillo. T--2:30. A--3,131.
HOW THEY SCORED
FIRST INNING
MAHONING VALLEY 5, AUBURN 0
Scrappers: Shaun Larkin doubled to left. Jonathan Van Every walked. Andy Baxter flew out. Bill Peavey walked, Larkin to third, Van Every to second. Brian Wright homered to right, scoring Larkin, Van Every and Peavey. Dave Wallace singled to left. Brad Guglielmelli singled Wallace to third. Mike Conroy grounded out, Wallace scored, Guglielmelli to second. Bryce Uegawachi flew out. 5 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left.
SECOND INNING
MAHONING VALLEY 5, AUBURN 2
Doubledays: Clint Johnston doubled to right. John Schneider hit by pitch. Ernie Durazo flew out. Nom Siriveaw grounded out, Johnston to third, Schneider to second. Justin Owens reached on an error, scoring Johnston and Schneider. Glynn Kimberly flew out. 2 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 1 left.
FIFTH INNING
MAHONING VALLEY 7, AUBURN 2
Scrappers: Wright singled to right. Wallace homered to left, scoring Wright. Guglielmelli flew out. Conroy grounded out. Uegawachi grounded out. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left.
sullivan@vindy.com