Nine-run fourth wallops Scrappers

Staff report

NILES

For the first three innings and the final five of Sunday’s game at Eastwood Field, Scrappers and State College Spikes pitchers matched each other with shutout innings.

The fourth inning was an entirely different story as the Spikes erupted for nine runs in a 9-0 victory.

Joshua Lopez’s three-run homer was the big blow during the Spikes’ big inning.

Grant Hockin (0-1) suffered the loss and surrendered seven runs before being relieved by Ping-Hsueh Chen with one out in the fourth inning.

Randy Valladares allowed no runs in the final three innings.

Ricardo Bautista and Lopez singled to open the fourth inning and a sacrifice bunt advanced them.

Hunter Newman’s hit scored Bautista. Danny Martin followed with a two-run double,

Mick Fennell contributed a RBI double and was on base with Evan Mendoza when Lopez cranked his two-out homer over the left-field fence.

Oscar Gonzalez, Nolan Jones, Jesse Berardi and Clark Scolamiero had the Scrappers’ hits.

Spikes starters Daniel Castano (2-0) struck out nine hitters over eight innings.

The Scrappers were held scoreless for the second time this season, while the Spikes’ staff recorded their first shutout of the year.

The Scrappers’ first homestand of the season concludes tonight with another game against the Spikes. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.