Scrappers top Bears in season opener

Staff report

GRANVILLE, W.VA.

George Valera doubled twice, drove in two runs and scored twice to lead the Mahoning Valley Scrappers to a 5-4 victory over the West Virginia Black Bears in the season opener for both teams Friday night.

The Scrappers (1-0) scored three runs in the top of the first inning and never trailed in front of 2,541 fans at Monongalia County Ballpark. Right-hander Jordan Scheftz got the win with 12/3 scoreless innings in relief of starter Carlos Vargas. Scheftz allowed two hits and two walks, but worked out of trouble.

Reliever Brendan Meyer pitched 21/3 scoreless innings, allowing a walk and striking out three. Left-hander Tim Herrin allowed two unearned runs in the ninth, but earned a save.

Vargas allowed two runs in four innings. He walked two, struck out three and allowed only one hit.

The Scrappers made three errors, all by infielders. First baseman Michael Cooper and third baseman Henderson De Oleo made fielding errors and shortstop Brayan Rocchio made a throwing error.

West Virginia starter Braxton Ashcraft took the loss. He worked five innings and allowed three runs (two earned). Ashcraft allowed two hits and a walk and struck out three.

Jonatahan Rodriguez and De Oleo each drove in a run for the Scrappers and Jonathan Engelmann added a double for Mahoning Valley.

The series concludes today with a 7:05 p.m. game.