Scrappers overcome early deficit, but collapse in seventh inning
Staff report
NILES
The Scrappers overcame an early three-run deficit against the St. College Spikes on Saturday at Eastwood Field.
Eventually, the Scrappers posted a four-run lead, but they couldn’t hold it, falling 9-7.
State College torched Scrappers starter James Karinchak in the top of the first inning with two outs. Evan Mendoza tripled to right and scored on an RBI double from Josh Lopez. Yariel Gonzalez followed Lopez with a two-run homer for the 3-0 lead.
The Scrappers began to chip away, first scoring twice in the third inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, Simeon Lucas singled to drive in Clark Scolamiero and Nolan Jones.
The Scrappers took the lead in the fifth inning when they scored fie runs after sending 11 batters to the plate.
Lucas again delivered an RBI single while Gianpaul Gonzalez drove in two runs and Jones added an RBI single. Another run was scored on a passed ball.
The Spikes scored twice in the sixth, then scored four times in the seventh.
Ernie Clement singled in the bottom of the sixth inning to extend his hitting streak to 17 straight games. He is now tied for the longest streak of the season in the New York-Penn League.
Karinchak took a no decision in three innings of work. He allowed three earned runs on six hits. Karinchak did not record a walk or a strikeout.