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The Scrappers are set for first playoff berth since ’04
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Mahoning Valley Scrapper Jordan Henry bunts the ball during the bottom of the third inning at Eastwood Field only to be thrown out by the Brooklyn Cyclones on his way to first base.
Semifinal play begins tonight against the Brooklyn Cyclones in Brooklyn.
By GREG GULAS
Vindicator Correspondent
NILES — For the first time since 2004, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers find themselves playing beyond the regular season.
The New York-Penn League’s short season has become an extended season for the Scrappers (49-27). After posting the league’s best regular-season record, the Scrappers join the Brooklyn Cyclones (45-30), Lowell Spinners (45-30) and Staten Island Yankees (47-29) in postseason play.
Tonight at 7, the Scrappers will take on the Cyclones in Brooklyn in Game 1 of the best-of-three, semifinal round series.
They will return home immediately after the game to play Game 2 on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. at Eastwood Field. If necessary, Game 3 will be Thursday at Eastwood Field, with the series winner advancing to the championship series for the right to hoist the Alice H. Nader Cup.
Scrappers manager Travis Fryman will send Clayton Cook (5-3, 2.79 earned-run average) to the hill tonight with Marty Popham (6-1, 2.76) scheduled for Game 2 and Brett Brach (5-2, 2.19) for Game 3.
Of the four playoff teams, the Yankees find themselves in most familiar territory as they are in the postseason for the third consecutive year.
The Cyclones are making their fifth appearance in seven years. The Spinners, the Stedler Division champions, are back for the second consecutive year after dropping two of three games in last year’s semifinal round to eventual champion, the Batavia Muckdogs.
While the Scrappers could be considered the relative playoff newcomer, history shows that once they qualify for the playoffs, they sweep their first round opponent. And if they do not need a broom for the championship series, they have always forced a deciding contest.
In 2004, Mahoning Valley swept Tri-City for the title. In 1999 and 2000 (their first two seasons), the Scrappers fell to Hudson Valley and Staten Island, respectively, in the deciding game.
There have been many keys to the Scrappers’ success this year, with pitching the first and foremost indicator.
“Our strength has been our pitching and with a strong pitching draft, the summer bore that out,” Fryman said. “Our bullpen hit a lull in the middle of the season, but has come on strong and they are right where they need to be at playoff time.
“We’re not explosive offensively, do not hit a lot of home runs but seem to be able to manufacture runs and hits when we need them the most.
“We need to be more like a National League club in the playoffs in that we must do things right and become a situational-type team,” Fryman said.
Mahoning Valley was third overall with a 3.03 earned-run average, tied for the league lead with 12 shutouts and led the league in saves with 26.
Popham said he feels a strong bond with his teammates both on and off the field.
“There was a bond right from the very start,” Popham said. “Everyone always works hard and plays for the team.
“While baseball tends to bring out the individual in a player, everyone also wants a shot at a championship ring so this team has found a way to play for each other as well and that to me has been a huge factor in our success,” Popham said.
It’s by design that Fryman has designated Popham as his second game starter. In nine starts at Eastwood Field, the Union College star went 5-1 with a 2.02 earned run average, striking out 58 batters in 49 innings.
“In addition to our consistency, another factor in our success this season has been our fans,” Popham said. “They make it really easy for us when we play at home because they are so knowledgeable and so into the game, always appreciating the effort that you put forth.”
While it seems like the Mahoning Valley offense has had to scrape and claw for runs, only one Scrappers player, Jordan Henry, is listed in the top of any offensive category.
Mahoning Valley finished atop the league with a .256 overall batting average while Henry was first in on-base percentage (.412) and tied for second in runs scored with 48.
He batted .286 from his familiar lead-off position and had a team-best 71 hits and 49 walks.
“It’s been a special season in that everyone has contributed in some small way to our overall success,” Henry said. “When one player struggled, someone was always there to pick him up whether it was at the plate, in the field or on the mound.
“We didn’t know each other when we first arrived for the start of the season, but jelled early and that played a big part in our season,” Henry said.
“It’s as if we had an instant chemistry and never lost it along the way. If we keep the attitude of playing just one game at a time, then we should be all right in the playoffs,” Henry said.
Dave Smith, the Scrappers general manager, has been with the team for all but their maiden season, serving as GM the past six seasons.
He’s elated that the team is bringing playoff baseball back to the Mahoning Valley.
“It’s always a great time when you make it to the playoffs,” Smith said. “It makes the end of the season exciting when every game seems to count for something in the standings.
“We had some movement, roster-wise early in the year but for the most part, there hasn’t been much changeover and that has been a huge factor in our success,” Smith said. “The support we’ve gotten from the fans all season long has also been incredible as well. They deserve playoff baseball.”
Playoff schedule || Scrappers
Today: Scrappers at Brooklyn Cyclones, 7 p.m.
Wednesday: Brooklyn Cyclones at Scrappers, 7:05 p.m.
Thursday: Brooklyn Cyclones at Scrappers, 7:05 p.m. (if necessary).
Radio: WNIO-AM 1390; mvscrappers.com
Tickets: Four-game ticket packages are on sale for $28. Single-game tickets are currently available for Wednesday only at $9 for box seats and $7 for general admission. Call (330) 505-0000 or visit www.mvscrappers.com.