Scrappers open playoffs with Vermont trip

September 8, 2017 at 12:05a.m.

NILES

For the third time in six days, the weather got the best of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

This time, it was heavy rains prior to game time that forced the cancellation of Thursday’s regular-season finale between the Scrappers and West Virginia.

The game will not be made up. Instead, the New York-Penn League playoffs are next.

The Scrappers (44-29) will begin their quest for the franchise’s second league title on Saturday when they visit Vermont (41-33) in a semifinal series.

Games two and three (if necessary) of the best-of-three series will be played Monday and Tuesday at Eastwood Field.

The Scrappers experienced a home rainout last Saturday, and again on Monday at Batavia.

In between the wet weather, the Scrappers finished strong, winning five straight en route to a Pinckney Division titles.

The Scrappers earned the first-round home field advantage by logging the second-best record in the NYPL.

In the other semifinal, top-seeded Staten Island (46-29) will take on Hudson Valley (44-31).

“This is an amazing group we have, one through nine and including our bench,” Scrappers leadoff hitter Ernie Clement said. “Everyone is always ready to do whatever job is asked of them, and they’ve been doing it well all year.”

“A lot of times this year, we’ve battled through adversity. Our record might make it seem as though it was easy, but that’s not true at all. So many times this year, we were down early in games, but we picked ourselves up and found a way to win.”

Clement, an infielder, was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the fourth round of the 2017 draft out of the University of Virginia. He was a freshman for the Cavaliers in 2015 when they won the College World Series.

“I learned at Virginia that you worry about the team first and you put your own problems and your own goals second to the team,” Clement said. “If everybody does that and everybody comes together, it can be really special.”

“We’ve done that this year. Even though this is a developmental league, we’ve played as a team, and because of that we’ve done something special.”

The Scrappers’ strong showing on the field this year helped at the gate. The Scrappers averaged 2,997 fans per home contest, up 365 fans per game from a year ago.

Scrappers general manager Jordan Taylor hopes the trend continues into the playoffs.

“For us, this whole season has been exciting,” Taylor said. “The team has been fun to watch, and it has led to a lot of enjoyment and excitement for the front office and the fans.

“[Monday] will be the first playoff game at Eastwood Field in eight years,” Taylor said. Jordan noted that regular-season ticket prices will be honored for all playoff games. He also noted that anyone with a ticket package can receive free playoff tickets by committing to a 2018 package.

The Scrappers will send Sam Hentges to the mound in Saturday’s opener. The lefty was 0-1 in five starts this year, but has a 2.04 earned run average. Gregori Vasquez (5-3, 2.38 ERA) is expected to earn the start in game two.

Vermont and Mahoning Valley did not meet in the regular season.