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Scrappers get 49th win to shatter team record
NILES — There were plenty of accolades to go around following the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 3-0 victory over State College Saturday night at Eastwood Field, that earned the Scrappers the top seed in the upcoming New York-Penn League playoffs next week.
The victory — the 49th of the year — eclipsed the Scrappers’ all-time season win mark of 48 set during the 2000 season.
Brett Brach pitched six strong innings of three-hit ball and Tyler Sturdevant pitched the final three innings to pick up his third save of the season.
Jesus Brito had two hits including one in the first inning that scored Casey Frawley with the first and only run Mahoning Valley would need.
The Scrappers tacked on two insurance runs in the seventh inning to hold off the Spikes.
“It’s a neat accomplishment for our players,” said Mahoning Valley manager Travis Fryman. “It’s something for our players to look back and and be proud of.
“The reality of it is that the majority of these players will never make it to the major leagues, so this is an accomplishment that will mean something very special to them.”
The Scrappers (49-26) will open the playoffs on Tuesday at Brooklyn in the first contest of a three-game series. Mahoning Valley will return home on Wednesday for game 2, with the third and deciding game also at Eastwood Field on Sept. 10 if necessary.
Mahoning Valley will close out the regular season tonight against the Spikes with a 6:05 start.
Fryman said he doesn’t have the luxury of resting players in the final game, nor does he think that it is necessary to do so.
“I like the sound of 50 wins,” Fryman said. “It gives us something to play for. I like finishing on a good note and these guys do to.
“They are very relaxed right now and very confident, and although we are banged up we are going to play to win [today].”
As has been the case all season, the pitching was outstanding for Mahoning Valley against State College.
“Our pitching has been strong all year,” Fryman said. “Our starting pitching has been the life of our ballclub.
“Even in our down stretches, they have kept us in ballgames and allowed us to win close ballgames.”
Brach improved to 5-2 on the season and lowered his ERA to 2.19, which is one of the best in the NYPL.
He will likely team with Marty Popham (6-1, 2.76) and Clayton Cook (5-3, 2.79) as the core of the starting staff for the playoffs. Preston Guilmet (6-5, 3.67) also could get a start in the post-season.
“I think because of our pitching we match up well with any of the teams in the playoffs,” Fryman said.
Jason Kipnis had two hits including a triple on the night, and said he thinks the Scrappers are ready to play well in the post-season.
“It feels great to be a part of this,” said Kipnis, the Cleveland Indians 2009 second-round draft pick out of the University of Arizona. “I came into a team that was playing well and I’m glad I was able to help them out.
“This team worked hard all year long and that goes to show what you can accomplish with hard work.
“I’m looking forward to playing a few more games and think we have a good chance to do something special here the rest of the post-season.”
State CollegeScrappers
abrhbiabrhbi
Holt ss4010Henry cf3000
Chambers cf4000Martinez 2b4011
Byler 1b4000Frawley dh3100
Baker dh3000Kipnis lf4020
Rubenstein rf3010Brito 3b1000
Irvine 3b3000Carlson 1b4120
Gonzalez 2b3000Chen c3100
Mendez c3010Vera ss2000
Garcia lf2000Palincsar rf3000
Totals29030Totals27452
State College000000000—0
Scrappers10000020x—3
DP—Scrappers 1. LOB—State College 3, Scrappers 7. 3B—Kipnis (3). SB—None.
IPHRERBBSO
State College
Irwin L, 1-2321112
Pereira3 2-342222
Foster1-300001
Baca W, 5-2110001
Scrappers
Brach W, 5-2630005
Sturdevant S, 3300003
WP—Pereira. Umpires—Home, Brian Debrayware; Bases, Jose Rivera. T—2:04.
HOW THEY SCORED
Scrappers 1st — Jordan Henry flies out to left fielder Edward Garcia. Argenis Martinez grounds out to first baseman Justin Byler. Casey Frawley walks. Jason Kipnis singles to right field, Frawley advances to second. Jesus Brito singles to right field, Frawley scores, Kipnis advances to third. Ben Carlson grounds out, second baseman Elevys Gonzalez to Byler. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Scrappers, 7th — Carlson singles to right field. Chun-Hsiu Chen walks, Carlson advances to second. Rafael Vera out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Nelson Pereira to Gonzalez, Carlson advances to third, to Chen advances to second. With Tim Palincsar batting, Carlson scores on a wild pitch by Pereira, Chen advances to third. Tim Palincsar strikes out. Henry walks. Martinez singles on a bunt, Chen scores, Henry advances to second. Pitcher Change: Zachary Foster replaces Pereira. Frawley strikes out. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.