The Mahoning Valley Scrappers did not have the most memorable opening home series.  Scoring just three runs in three games against Auburn, the offense seemed starved.  A new series against Batavia offered at least a chance for redemption.  The offense sparked a bit, but the pitching bent at the worst time and a few untimely bounces proved costly as Batavia jumped past the Scrappers, 6-3.

Batavia got on the board first in the fourth inning.  Victor Sanchez opened the inning for the Muckdogs with a double off of Scrappers starter Kirk Wetmore (pictured).  The next batter, Jon Edwards, hit a rope to dead center which fooled Scrapper CF Jordan Casas. Edwards ended up with an RBI triple.  Two batters later, Audry Perez hit a sacrifice to right field plating Edwards and giving the Muckdogs a 2-0 lead.

Mahoning Valley got a spark in the bottom of the fifth when DH Aaron Fields doubled home Carlos Moncrief and Tyler Cannon to tie the score at two runs each.  Batavia starter Kevin Siegrest seemed to have control of the game until the Scrappers finally got some guys on base.  Siegrest only threw eleven pitches to all six batters he faced in the inning.

Batavia had a big seventh inning off of Scrapper reliever James Reichenbach.  Rainel Rosario singled to lead off the inning.  Perez followed that with another single.  Yunier Castillo bunted and Reichenbach fielded the ball cleanly and opted to try for the out at second.  His throw pulled 2B Kevin Fontanez off of the bag and everyone was safe with nobody out.  Nicholas Longmire then bashed a Reichenbach offering over the right field fence for a grand slam and a 6-2 Batavia lead.

The Scrappers threatened in the ninth inning when they loaded the bases with just one out.  Tyler Cannon hit the ball at the second basemen to plate a run on a fielder’s choice.  Next up was Moises Montero who looked at three consecutive strikes without a swing and the Scrappers were dealt another loss, falling to 0-4 on the current home stand and 2-5 overall.

After the game, Aaron Fields, who had a clutch game tying double, talked about the general attitude of the team.  “Everybody is fine.  The good thing about this sport is you can come back tomorrow and do better.”

Manager Travis Fryman was also not yet in panic mode.  Joking about the fresh season Fryman said, “I would bet there are guys in the locker room that don’t know everyone’s name yet.  I don’t even know everyone’s name yet.”

Fryman also went on to talk about the his first week meeting.  ” We talked about the difference between college and pro ball and what differences they realize.  There is much more positive interaction at this level than a player in college where things seem to be more dictated.”

The Scrappers finish up the mini-series with Batavia on Friday, first pitch at Eastwood Field is 7:05 p.m.