Relief pitching, Elliott’s three hits guide Scrappers

Staff report

STATE COLLEGE, PA.

Cody Elliott went 3-for-4 and three Scrappers pitchers combined on three innings of shutout relief to help Mahoning Valley defeat State College 7-3 in a New York-Penn League game on Friday night.

Batting out of the No. 9 spot, Elliott drove in a run, scored a run and stole his first base of the season to help the Scrappers (10-4) win for the sixth time in seven games.

Bryson Myles scored two runs and KC Serna had a double and scored twice for the Scrappers, who scored three runs in the eighth and another run in the ninth.

Jordan Smith had three RBIs and Todd Hankins two.

Rob Nixon started and went six innings, giving up three runs (all earned) on six hits and four strikeouts.

Will Krasne (1-0), Enosil Tejeda and Kyle Petter each threw a scoreless inning of relief.

Josh Poytress gave up three runs in one inning of work to get the loss for State College (3-11).

Mahoning Valley leads Auburn and Jamestown by two games in the Pinckney Division.

The Scrappers play State College tonight then head home for a two-game set against Batavia before returning to the road Monday against the Muckdogs.

The first 750 fans aged 12-and-under at Saturday’s game will receive a youth jersey.