Staten Island drops Lowell

September 13, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island took an early lead and held on for a 5-1 win over Lowell to clinch the series victory in Game 3 of the New York-Penn League semifinals Saturday.

The Yankees will play the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the NYPL championship beginning Monday. The Scrappers will host Game 2 on Tuesday and, if necessary, Game 3 on Wednesday.

Kelvin Perez started and pitched five shutout innings to get the win for Staten Island.

Kyle Higashioka had a two-run single as part of a five-run second inning.

Yeiper Castillo started and gave up five runs in 12‚Ñ3 innings to get the loss.