Salters stays hot in Scrappers’ victory

By Steve Ruman

sports@vindy.com

NILES

To suggest that Daniel Salters is having a pretty solid August would be an understatement.

The catcher for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers has hit safely in 23 of his last 25 games, and during that stretch, he has reached base safely in 24 games.

For his efforts, Salters was recently named to represent the Scrappers in the New York-Penn League All-Star game.

Salters and his Mahoning Valley teammates extended the fun Wednesday in a 2-0 Scrappers win in front of 3,609 fans at Eastwood Field.

Salters hit a double in the fourth inning to extend his hitting streak to seven games. In his last 10 games, he is hitting .325 with two homers and 11 RBIs.

Against the Renegades, the Scrappers scored the only run they would need in the first inning when Willi Castro led off with a triple, then scored on a Ka’ai Tom double. They added an insurance run in the fifth on a Tom sacrifice fly that plated Silento Sayles.

The Scrappers’ two runs held up thanks to solid pitching by Scrappers starter Casey Shane and reliever Dominic DeMasi. Shane worked six scoreless innings, surrendering just two singles and a double while striking out three. He earned his second win of the year against three defeats. DeMasi surrendered just two hits and recorded a game-ending strikeout to earn his first save of the season.

“It’s always nice to get a win in front of the home fans, they do a great job of supporting the team,” Salters said. “This is a fun atmosphere to play in. It’s definitely one of the better parks in the league.”

Salters and Scrappers infielder Nate Winfrey were named to the NYPL all-star team last Saturday. The two will play on the South squad next Tuesday at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Md.

“Representing the Scrappers in the all-star game is awesome, and I thank the Lord for making it possible,” Salters said. “There are a lot of really good catchers in this league, so it’s an honor to represent the team and I look forward to the event.

“Being named to the team let’s you know that all the hard work you’re putting in is noticed and is paying off.”

Salters was played sparingly in the early part of the summer, but became the Scrappers’ regular catcher when Li-Jen Chu was injured in July.

“Getting the opportunity to play every day helped a lot, it helped put me in a groove and find my rhythm,” Salters said.

Winfrey, who enjoyed a day off Wednesday, has been one of the Scrappers’ most dependable defensive players at third and first base. He is batting .246 with a home run and 13 RBIs.

“It’s going to be a fun experience and it will be interesting to see what the competition will be like,” Winfrey said. “I really didn’t expect to be picked, because I feel like it’s just been an average season for me and I’m not where I want to be just yet. I do feel like I’m getting better as the season goes on, so it’s good.”

Scrappers manager Travis Fryman noted that both Salters and Winfrey have improved over the course of the season.

“Daniel continues to get better swinging the bat and he has caught and thrown the ball well all year long,” Fryman said. “He’s pretty advanced for being right out of the draft.

“Nate works hard, gets better and makes the routine plays. He’s had a couple of good weeks swinging the bat.”

The Scrappers and Renegades continue their three-game series tonight at 7:05.