Scrappers split doubleheader with Crosscutters

Staff report

Williamsport, Pa.

Clutch hitting led the Mahoning Valley Scrappers to a split in Thursday’s doubleheader with the Williamsport Crosscutters.

The Crosscutters won the opener 8-1, but the Scrappers held on for a 3-2 victory in the nightcap.

The Scrappers struck first in the opener.

After a walk by Bryan Lavastida and a throwing error by pitcher Hsin-Chieh Lin, Ray Delgado singled in a run with a line drive to center field in the first.

The Crosscutters tied it at 1 with back-to-back triples by Logan O’Hoppe and Hunter Markwardt in the bottom of the second. Jake Holmes’ sacrifice fly in the next at-bat gave Williamsport the lead.

Lin walked Brayan Ricchio and Delgado doubled to right field, leading to a pitching change in the third. Adam Cox struck out George Valera and Michael Cooper to strand runners at second and third.

Corbin Williams led off the home half of the third with a single. He stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Lavastida. Williams scored on a sacrifice fly by Kendall Simmons for a 3-1 lead. Bryson Scott walked in the next at-bat and scored on a triple from Juan Aparicio.

O’Hoppe’s three-run home run in the fifth and Hunter Hearn’s solo shot in the sixth increased the lead to 8-1.

Cox (1-1) struck out three in 22/3 hitless innings.

Jhonneyver Gutierrez (1-4) allowed four runs on five hits and a walk. He struck out three in three innings.

The Scrappers (16-17) scored first again in Game 2.

Valera walked and Cooper doubled to left field in the second. Johnathan Rodriguez and Eric Rodriguez followed with sacrifice flies for a 2-0 lead.

Pedro Alfonseca led off the third with a bunt single. He advanced to third on a throwing error by pitcher Jose Conopoima and scored on a sacrifice fly from Lavastida.

Williams’ RBI single in the bottom of the third cut the Scrappers’ lead to 3-1.

Williamsport (9-23) added another run in the fourth on D.J. Stewart’s RBI fielder’s choice following a triple from Herbert Iser.

Serafino Brito (1-0) allowed one hit and struck out four in three scoreless innings of relief in his Scrappers debut.

The Scrappers and Crosscutters will play the final game of the three-game series today at 7:05 p.m.

Jose Conopoima (0-3) gave up three runs — two earned — on three hits and a walk with four strikeouts in four innings.

Scrappers starter Matt Waldron allowed two runs on five hits and a walk. He struck out four in four innings.

Roster Moves

Outfielder Billy Wilson was sent down the Mahoning Valley on Thursday after playing four games with the Lake County Captains.

Wilson was called up after an injury landed Quentin Holmes on the seven-day injured list.

In four games with Lake County, Wilson went 1 for 12 with three walks and six strikeouts.

The 23-year-old hit .180 (9 for 50) with three RBIs in 14 games with the Scrappers to start the season.