For Scrappers, home is where the hurt is

June 30, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

NILES

Turn on the radio to the tune of “Sweet Caroline,” and if you’re a baseball fan it’s almost impossible not to think of the Boston Red Sox. Hear “New York, New York,” and a Yankees win comes to mind. Decades after winning a World Series, the Pittsburgh Pirates and “We Are Family” still go hand in hand.

The Mahoning Valley Scrappers may need to turn to Willie Nelson to find a team anthem: “On The Road Again.” The Scrappers probably can’t wait to get on the road again.

While most baseball teams crave the comforts of home, Eastwood Field has been a house of horrors for the Scrappers in recent times. In four of the past five seasons, the Scrappers have had a better record on the road than they have at home. In fact, during that span, they haven’t won more than 15 home games in any year with the exception of 2011.

On Monday, the trend continued. The Scrappers fell to Williamsport 5-2 in front of 2,120 waterlogged home fans. The Scrappers (3-7) are now 0-4 at home after beginning the season with a 3-3 road trip.

Meanwhile, Williamsport is unfazed by its surroundings. The Crosscutters are off to a franchise-best 10-0 start, and are the only team in the New York-Penn League with an undefeated record. The franchise high for longest win streak is 12 games set in 2005.

A new hero seemingly emerges every night for the Crosscutters, and Tuesday was no exception. Joshua Tobias, who was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 10th round of the June draft, made his professional debut as a designated hitter.

The outfielder, who just completed his senior season at the University of Florida, belted a towering home run over the right-center field fence in his first professional at-bat. Tobias’ homer came in the second inning, and gave Williamsport a 1-0 lead. In his second at-bat in the fifth, Tobias doubled to the wall in left, plating a run. He later came around to score.

“I just went up there as if it were another at-bat,” Tobias said. “I was relaxed. I was taking the same approach that I’ve taken my whole life when it comes to baseball.”

Tobias signed with the Phillies last Friday. He arrived in Williamsport on Saturday just as the Crosscutters’ home game was called because of rain. He was at Eastwood Field on Sunday for the opening game of the three-game series but did not play.

“I was very anxious to get in the lineup, I love playing the game so any time I have to sit and watch it’s tough,” Tobias said. “Once I was drafted, I couldn’t wait to get signed and get on with the next step.”

The Scrappers scored their two runs in the sixth. Mark Mathias had an RBI double, and Emmanuel Tapia hit a sacrifice fly to plate the second run.

The Scrappers and Crosscutters conclude their three-game series tonight at 7:05.