Scrappers rally for victory with 9-run eighth inning

NILES -- Andy Lytle's bases-loaded triple ignited a nine-run eighth inning rally as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers came from behind to defeat the Lowell Spinners 11-5 Saturday night at Eastwood Field.
The Scrappers, trailing 5-2 going into the bottom of the eighth, sent 14 batters to the plate in the inning. They pounded out nine hits, including two each by Trevor Mortensen and Matt Fornasiere, to record their second straight victory.
With the win the Scrappers go back over the .500 mark at 13-12 in the Pinckney Division of the New York-Penn League.
Mortensen and Derrick Peterson had RBI singles to bring the Scrappers within a run. With the bases full, Lytle stepped up and drilled a shot down the third base line clearing the bases and putting the Scrappers into the lead.
Evandy DeLeon, Mortensen and Fornasiere also had RBI singles in the inning.
Mahoning Valley took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the Spinners came back to score four times in the second off starter Kevin Dixon. Lowell added another run in the sixth inning
Mortensen finished with four hits, while Fornasiere added three in the 13-hit attack.
Dustin Roddy, who came on to pitch the ninth inning, picked up the victory.
The two teams will play an afternoon game today at 2:05 p.m. at Eastwood Field.