Scrappers sweep, clinch date in postseason

Staff report

BATAVIA, N.Y.

For the first time since 2009, there will be bonus baseball at Eastwood Field in Niles.

Monday, the Mahonong Valley Scrappers (42-29) swept a doubleheader from the Batavia Muckdogs to clinch the New York-Penn League’s Pinckney Division for the first time in eight seasons. The Scrappers won by scores of 4-3 and 6-2.

The regular season ends Thursday and the postseason schedule has not been released.

In the first game, Oscar Gonzalez hit a solo home run in the sixth inning, and Nolan Jones doubled and singled twice. The home run by Gonzalez gave the Scrappers a 3-2 lead.

Batavia answered in the bottom of the frame when Sean Reynolds hit a solo home run to tie the game.

The Scrappers took the lead for good in the seventh when Jesse Berardi hit an RBI single, driving in Hosea Nelson.

Starter Gregori Vasquez (5-3) got the win while Colton Hock (1-3) took the loss in relief. Jean Carlos Mejia retired the side in order for his third save of the season.

In the second game, Will Benson hit a two-run homer in the third inning, and Jones had three hits and scored two runs.

The home run by Benson scored Jones to give the Scrappers a 3-0 lead.

After Mahoning Valley added a run in the fifth on a double by Mitch Reeves, the Muckdogs cut into the deficit in the fifth inning when David Gauntt hit an RBI double and then scored on a single by Tyler Curtis.

The Scrappers added to their lead in the seventh when Benson hit another two-run home run.

James Karinchak (2-2) got the win in relief while Batavia starter Osman Gutierrez (1-1) took the loss in the New York-Penn League game.

Matthew Brooks singled three times for the Muckdogs.