Scrappers rally late, clinch division

Mahoning Valley scored six runs in the ninth inning to defeat Williamsport, 8-4.

Vindicator sports staff

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — The Mahoning Valley Scrappers clinched their first division title since 2000 on Monday — and they did it in style.

After being rained out in their weekend series — and after falling behind into the eighth inning against Williamsport — the Scrappers rallied in the late innings to defeat the Crosscutters 8-4 and clinch the Pinckney Division championship in a New York-Penn League game at Bowman Field.

Trailing 4-0 in the top of the eighth, the Scrappers strung together three singles and capitalized on a fielding error to score two runs. Jordan Henry and Jason Kipnis each had run-scoring hits.

Then in the ninth, the Scrappers scored six runs on five hits (all singles) and another fielding error to take control. Greg Folgia had a two-run single to key the rally.

Mahoning Valley (45-23), which now has an eight-game lead on Williamsport, entered Monday’s game with a magic number of two. The Scrappers lead Brooklyn by two games for the best record in the NYPL.

The Scrappers clinched their first division title since winning back-to-back Pinckney/Stedler Division crowns in 1999-2000 — their first two years of existence.

Mahoning Valley will make its fourth playoff appearance and its first since winning the league crown in 2004 as a wild card entry.

Kipnis and Henry each went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBIs for Mahoning Valley, which piled up 12 hits — all singles.

Folgia was 2-for-5 with two RBIs, Rafael Vera went 2-for-3 with two runs and Tim Palincsar went 2-for-4 with two runs.

Brett Brach started and went six innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks.

Austin Adams (2-1) pitched two innings of relief, striking out three while giving up an unearned run on two hits and a walk. Guido Fonseca pitched a scoreless ninth to finish it out.

The regular season ends on Sept. 6. The Scrappers will begin a three-game series Tuesday, Sept. 8 at the lower seed’s stadium.

The next two games would be on Thursday and Friday (if necessary) at the higher seed.

The championship series would then begin on Sunday, Sept. 13 at the lower seed, followed by games on Tuesday and Wednesday at the higher seed. However, if both opening round series only go two games, the championship series games would all be moved up one day.

The team is offering discount playoff packages to fans, who can buy four box seats (one for each game) for $28. If the Scrappers don’t play all four playoff games, fans would be refunded $7 for each game not played. Individual game tickets won’t be available until later.