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Scrappers tame Tigers in twinbill
By Steve Ruman
NILES
Just two shorts weeks ago, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers owned a 5-17 record and were on pace to log the worst record in franchise history. With a .196 team batting average, there was little sign that the Scrappers would break out of their funk.
Today, they are one of the hottest teams in the New York-Penn League.
The Scrappers on Monday earned a doubleheader sweep of Connecticut in front of 1,867 fans at Eastwood Field. The Scrappers won the first game 3-2. They then cruised to an 8-2 victory in the nightcap.
Both games were seven inning affairs.
The Scrappers (16-21) have won 11 of their last 15 games. After losing their first eight series of the season, they have now won their last five series. During their recent hot streak, the Scrappers have gotten the best of three of the top four teams in the NYPL.
“I think we’ve really come together as a team,” said Scrappers outfielder Andrew Calica. “This level is all about development, but you also want to win as a team. I’ve noticed a big difference in the team mentality since when I first arrived.”
“Guys are trusting each other. It’s happening in the field and when we’re at bat. Moving runners over, scoring on sacrifice flies, we’re doing all the little things it takes to win games.”
In the opener, the Scrappers scored all their runs in the bottom of the first inning when the first five batters reached on base hits. Calica knocked in the first run when his single plated leadoff hitter Gabriel Mejia. Calica and Silento Sayles came around to score on an Erlin Cerda double.
The three runs held up thanks to another sterling performance by Scrappers starter Triston McKenzie (4-2, 0.61 ERA).
The right-hander shut down Connecticut (20-17) for six innings, giving up just one hit before the Tigers broke through for two runs in the seventh.
McKenzie worked 62/3 innings, giving up one earned run on three hits while recording five strikeouts. Henry Martinez came in to get the final out of the game with the tying run in scoring position.
The Scrappers won the second game thanks to a 13-hit attack. Nate Winfrey led the charge with three hits (including a pair of doubles) and three RBI. Calica also had three hits, and finished the night 4-of-6.
The Scrappers’ turnaround began shortly after Calica joined the team in early July. Calica was selected out of UC Santa Barbara in the 11th round of the June draft. He played his final collegiate game on June 22nd in the College World Series.
While many players struggle to adjust to the professional level, Calica’s game has thrived from the very start. Calica is batting .421 (24-of-57) with nine RBI. He has a pair of doubles and three triples.
“I believe the experience of playing in the college World Series is really paying off,” Calica said. “All of the pressure, and being put in the spotlight, it taught me how to handle the pressures of bigtime baseball.
“Right now, I’m just keyed in and putting together some solid at-bats. Baseball is a funny game because you go up with the same approach and the same mindset every night. Some nights you find yourself in a slump and other times everything seems to go right. Right now, I’m in that groove.”
The Scrappers will look for their first series sweep tonight when they conclude their series with the Tigers.