NEW YORK-PENN Scrappers earn spot in playoffs with win

Mahoning Valley beat Batavia 7-1 to gain the wild card berth.
BATAVIA, N.Y. -- Three pitchers combined on a three-hitter as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers clinched the New York-Penn League's wild card playoff position Saturday, the final day of regular season.
The Scrappers defeated the Batavia Muckdogs 7-1 at Dwyer Stadium and will open playoffs against the Auburn Doubledays at home Monday at 7:05 p.m.
The Scrappers reached the NYPL's playoff their first two seasons, in 1999 and in 2000. However, they failed to reach the post-season any of the last three summers.
Pitching was key
Pitching carried the day for the Scrappers.
Starter Ryan Knippschild (4-3) allowed just one hit over the first five innings. He struck out five and allowed just one walk.
Mark Jecman pitched the sixth inning and surrendered two hits and the lone run.
Matt Knox came on the pitch the final three innings and posted his third save of the season. Knox allowed no hits or walks and struck out four.
The Scrappers (42-34, .553) entered the day with a slight lead in the wild card race and needed to win to guarantee the extra-season action.
New Jersey (41-34, .547) defeated Aberdeen 5-2 Saturday and finished second in the tight race. Hudson Valley (39-33, .542) beat Brooklyn 7-1 and took third, less than one game off the pace.
The tie-breaker is based on winning percentage.
Scrappers score first
The Scrappers scored a run in the top of the second inning when Wyatt Toregas singled and went to second on a balk.
Tim Montgomery doubled home Toregas.
In the fourth inning the Scrappers opened a 3-0 lead.
Mike Butia and Montgomery singled putting runners on the corners. Brett Parker doubled in Butia and Teo Encarnacion plated Montgomery with a sacrifice fly.
After the Muckdogs (28-46) scored in the sixth, Mahoning Valley scored its fourth run in the seventh inning when Chris Gimenez homered to left.
In the ninth Gimenez doubled in a run and Toregas homered to drive in two more.
Leads attack
Gimenez led the 13-hit attack with a homer, a double and a single.
Butia, Toregas, Montgomery and Parker each had two hits.
Monday the gates at Eastwood Field will open at 6 p.m. with the first pitch at 7:05 p.m.
A post-game fireworks show is planned.
Advanced tickets are available at Eastwood Field or by calling (330) 505-0000.
SCRAPPERSBATAVIA
abrhbiabrhbi
Reyes cf4010Hardy ss4010
Finegan ss5110Isaacson 2b4010
Gimenez 3b5232Frith rf4011
Butia dh5120Shimer lf4000
Toregas c5222Galloway 1b2000
Montgomery lf5121Jaramillo dh2000
Parker 2b4021Dirnberger ph1000
Pacheco 1b1000Orr 3b3000
Encarnacion rf3001Karlsen c3000
Gamble cf2100
Totals377137 Totals29131
Mahoning Valley010200103--7
Batavia000001000--1
E--Montgomery, Orr. LOB--Mahoning Valley 8, Batavia 3. 2B--Gimenez, Montgomery, Parker, Isaacson. HR--Gimenez, Toregas. SF--Encarnacion. DP--Mahoning Valley 1, Batavia 3.
IPHRERBBSO
Mahoning Valley
Knippschild W, 4-3510015
Jecman121110
Knox S, 3300004
Batavia
Kendrick L, 2-87104425
Johnson233313
IBB--Kendrick (Pacheco), off Johnson (Pacheco). HBP--by Kendrick (Reyes). BK--Kendrick. T--2:16. A--1,028.