Scrappers bag Black Bears

July 6, 2017 at 12:10a.m.

Scrappers pitchers combine to shut down West Virginia at Eastwood Field

NILES

Mahoning Valley Scrappers manager Luke Carlin has had his share of problems putting together his daily lineups during the first two weeks of the season.

But don’t feel sorry for the rookie manager.

Carlin’s “problems” are the type every manager wishes for.

“It’s been tough, it’s challenging making the lineup because there are so many contributors, so many worthy guys,” Carlin said. “The guys all play with a lot of energy. It’s tough keeping everyone fresh.”

Tough as it may be, Carlin put together another winning lineup Wednesday, as the Scrappers defeated West Virginia 4-1 in front of 2,323 fans at Eastwood Field.

With the win, the Scrappers (10-5) reclaim a share of first place in the Pinckney Division of the New York-Penn League.

“We’ve battled through some long games, some long nights over the past three days, but this group is tough and determined,” Carlin said. “This group does a fantastic job of staying within their approach.”

West Virginia wasted no time scoring the first run of the game. Black Bears lead-off hitter Chris Sharpe was hit by a pitch on the first pitch of the game, and came around to score on a one-out double off the bat of Dean Stafford.

However, from that point on Scrappers starter Zach Plesac shut down the Black Bears. Plesac ended up working four innings, surrendering just the one run on two hits while recording five strikeouts.

On the season, Plesac (0-1) owns an 0.90 earned run average. He has 14 strikeouts in 10 innings of work.

“Zach, believe it or not had one of his worst outings of the year, and he still did a great job, that’s how good he’s been,” Carlin said. “He has shown nothing but great signs for the future. His fastball command has been really good. He had a little bump early today, but came back in a big way.”

The Scrappers scored a pair of runs in the fifth to take the lead for good.

Scrappers second baseman Dillon Persinger led off the frame with the first base hit of his professional career, a sharp single to left field. One batter later, Persinger scored when Scrappers left fielder Hosea Nelson ripped a triple to the gap in right-center.

Nelson scored on a wild pitch to give the Scrappers a 2-1 lead.

Persinger was making his professional debut. The 21-year-old was selected by the Indians in the 18th round of the June draft out of Cal Fullerton. His professional career was put on hold for several weeks while he participated in the College World Series.

“I was actually drafted when I was on a plane heading to Omaha,” Persinger said. “I didn’t know until we touched down. The past few weeks, it’s just been a case of getting ready, working on hitting with a wooden bat, and getting (a physical) cleared by the Indians.”

As for Persinger’s first base hit and run scored?

“It’s just baseball, at any level, it’s just baseball,” Persinger said. “I was just excited to get that first game under my belt. I’m excited to move forward.”

In the sixth, the Scrappers added a pair of insurance runs when Ulysses Cantu belted his third home run of the year – a two-run shot deep over the left field wall.

Cantu leads the Scrappers in home runs (three) and is second on the team with eight RBI. The first baseman is batting a team-high .381.

“Ulysses has such a nice approach at the plate. He has a major league swing,” Carlin said.

Scrappers relievers Eli Morgan, Ping-Hseuh Chen, Jonathan Teaney and Kyle Nelson combined to hurl five shutout innings, giving up just one hit in the process.

The relievers hit a pair of batters and issued six walks, but were able to work out of trouble in several innings.

The Scrappers and Black Bears conclude their three-game series tonight.