Scrappers close with win, hit the road

Playoff series against ValleyCats begins Wednesday in Troy, N.Y.

Staff report

MORGANTOWN, W. VA.

After closing the regular-season with a win over West Virginia, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers are preparing for a postseason road trip.

Monday, the Scrappers defeated the Black Bears, 4-1. The Scrappers (42-33) edged the Auburn Doubledays (41-35) by a game-and-a-half for the Pinckney Division title.

The division title secures the Scrappers a second straight playoff berth.

Wednesday, the Scrappers will be in Troy, N.Y., to open a best-of-three playoff series with the Tri-City ValleyCats (42-33), winners of the Stedler Division.

Following the game, the Scrappers and Valley Cats will travel to Ohio. Game 2 will be played Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at Eastwood Field in Niles.

If necessary, Game 3 will be played there on Friday.

In Monday’s win, the Scrappers scored three times in the 10th inning. Connor Smith doubled and drove in three runs.

Ronny Dominguez had two hits and scored twice. Michael Tinsley doubled and drove in a run. Jose Fermin also doubled and scored.

Four Scrappers pitchers combined to scatter nine hits. Starter Raymond Burges pitched five-and-two-thirds inning, striking out nine and walking none.

Cameron Mingo was credited with his first hold of the season. Luis Araujo was given a blown save after the Black Bears (32-44) tied the game in the eighth inning.

Erick Algarin (2-2) earned the victory. He struck out four in the final two innings.