When you think of the word consistency, you visualize steady progress at regular intervals.  The hand that Manager Ted Kubiak has been dealt this year needs to develop more consistency with the bat, the gloves, and the mound.  Thursday, Mahoning Valley took a big step in the right direction and posted a 7-6 win after blowing an early four-run lead over the State College Spikes.

“I was thinking about that earlier”, stated Kubiak after the game.  “The whole game is consistency and despite the fact that we had a bad inning, we were able to overcome a deficit and pull out a nice win tonight.  But you are correct about consistency and in order for us to develop that, we have to keep having good pregame workouts.”

Mahoning Valley scored a run in the first inning to nab the early 1-0 lead.  Jairo Kelly started the frame with a single. Charlie Valerio then laced a double to the left-center gab allowing Kelly to show off the wheels and score from first base.

In the second inning, Kelly struck again when he connected for his first home run.  The bomb was of the three run variety and gave the Scrappers a nice 4-0 cushion.  Aaron Siliga and Jeremy Lucas were on base when Kelly hit the homer.

Consistency then made another disruptive appearance at Eastwood Field.  Staked to a 4-0 lead, the Scrappers gave it all back in the top of the third.  State College was able to tie the game on a passed ball and RBI hits from DJ Crumlich, Chris Diaz, and Ryan Hornbuck.

Scrappers starter, Geoff Davenport, pitched five complete innings and did not factor into the decision.  Davenport gave up four runs, all earned, on seven hits, while striking out three and walking one.  Michael Peoples took over for the Scrappers to start the sixth.

The Spikes took the lead in the sixth when Peoples walked Walter Gourley with one out. Gourley advanced to second when Peoples made an errant throw to first on a pickoff attempt.  David Valesente then singled to drive home Gourley with the go-ahead run.

In the bottom of the eighth, back-to-back bloop singles by Joe Sever and Siliga put runners on first and third.  Lucas collected his fourth hit and second RBI with a liner over the shortstop to plate Sever with the game-tying run.  Joey Wendle then pinch hit and drove in his housemate, Siliga, with a deep sac fly to make it a 6-5 Scrappers lead.

Lucas had his best night as a pro, going 4-4 with two RBI.  Valerio and Kelly also had three hits each to lead the Scrapper highest hit total of 2012 with 13.

“We have been struggling with the bats”, said Lucas, who competes with three other catchers for playing time.

“I like that we are carrying so many [catchers], it makes it more competitive and forces me to work harder to get better.”

Enosil Tejeda came in and worked two scoreless innings for the Scrappers and earned the win in relief.