Scrappers, storm pound Aberdeen

Staff report

ABERDEEN, MD.

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers scored nine runs over the first three innings and beat the Aberdeen IronBirds, 14-3.

Monday’s game was called in the eighth inning when a thunderstorm knocked out power at Ripken Stadium.

The victory keeps the Scrappers (26-18) in first place in the New York-Penn League’s Pinckney Division standings, one game ahead of the Auburn Doubledays and two in front of the Jamestown Jammers and Williamsport Crosscutters.

Todd Hankins and Jordan Smith each had three hits to trigger the Scrappers’ offense. One of Hankins’ hits was a two-run homer.

The Scrappers wasted little, grabbing a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when groundouts by Jake Lowery and Smith brought home runs.

In the Scrappers’ four-run second at-bat, Aaron Siliga hit a bases-load single to score Alex Lavisky and Jerrud Sabourin for a 4-0 edge. Two more groundouts brought in two more runs.

Hankins’ homer helped the Scrappers score three runs in the third inning for a 9-0 lead.

The beneficiary of the offensive explosion was starting pitcher Rob Nixon (4-3) who scattered seven hits in the six innings he pitched. Nixon gave up three earned runs.

Reliever harold Guerrero tossed two scoreless innings before the storm hit.

Lavisky, Sabourin and Cody Elliot each had two hits. Hankins and Sabourin each drove in three runs while Elliott and Siliga had two apiece.

The Scrappers open a five-game homestand tonight at Eastwood Field against the Staten Island Yankees.

They will be at home on Friday and Saturday against the Doubledays before opening their next roadtrip in Auburn, N.Y., on Sunday.