NILES — The Mahoning Valley Scrappers came up just short in their quest to record their first four-game winning streak since 2022.

The Scrappers fell to Frederick 4-3 at Eastwood Field in front of 1,762 fans on Sunday in the final game of a three-game series against the Keys. After defeating Williamsport on the road, the Scrappers won the first two contests against the Keys prior to Sunday’s setback.

Mahoning Valley fell behind 3-0 before rallying to tie the game at 3-3 in the seventh inning. However, Frederick answered in the top of the eighth when Allan Gil-Fernandez walked with the bases loaded, pushing across what turned out to be the game-winning run.

A walk and a hit batter put the potential tying and winning runs on base with one out in the bottom of the ninth. However, Frederick reliever Evan Yates induced a pair of flyouts to end the game and pick up the win.

Yates worked 2.2 scoreless innings, giving up just one hit.

Frederick grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second on a Zech Samayoa RBI triple. The Keys extended the lead to 3-0 in the fourth. Daylan Pena scored on a wild pitch. One batter later Irvin Escobar collected an RBI on a flyout.

The Scrappers scored their first run in the sixth when John Schroeder tripled, then scored as part of a double steal.

One inning later, the Scrappers would briefly tie the game. Max Johnson singled home the first run of the inning. Johnson later scored on a Jordan Taylor sacrifice fly.

The Scrappers will enjoy their first day off Monday before returning to Eastwood Field on Tuesday for the start of a three-game series against State College.

ALL ABOUT BASEBALL FOR MABEE

At 6-foot-7, Mahoning Valley Scrappers pitcher Oliver Mabee looks like he would be a natural on the basketball court. In fact, Mabee’s high school coach persuaded him to play for a bit, however Mabee just didn’t see it as a natural fit.

“I could move around okay and all, but I didn’t have a great shot,” Mabee said.

As a native of Victoria, Canada, it would also seem safe to assume that Mabee would be veered toward hockey, but again, that wasn’t the case.

“My dad is a chiropractor and he hates concussions,” Mabee said. “He sort of steered me away from hockey at a young age, and I was okay with that.”

For this Canadian — who now calls Eastwood Field his summer home — it’s always been about baseball.

Mabee has always been a fan of the game. He laughs, noting that his fellow countrymen frown upon his admiration for the New York Yankees. He’s a huge Aaron Judge fan, noting their similarities in height and body frame.

Mabee is especially a fan of being on a diamond as opposed to being on a basketball court or on ice.

“I played a lot of soccer when I was younger and I really loved that, I loved all of the running and the competitiveness of the sport,” Mabee said. “But my first love in sports has always been and will always be baseball. I just feel at home on the baseball field. I feel like that’s where I belong.”

While in high school, Mabee caught the attention of numerous scouts, prompting an invite to join Canada’s junior national team. By doing so, he was able to showcase his talents while playing against college and Major League rookie team opponents.

Mabee recently completed his second season at Trinidad State, where he was a dual threat. During the two-year stretch, he pitched in 24 games, working 101 innings and recording 124 strikeouts.

When Mabee wasn’t on the mound, he was a fixture in the outfield, where he started 90 games. He owned a two-year batting average of .352.

Mabee recently earned an associate degree in science. He plans to continue his academic and baseball career next year at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. There, he will study kinesiology.

“I love studying about the human body, I love science and space,” Mabee said. “I’m just very fascinated with science in general. Kinesiology plays right into my life as a baseball player. It’s something that can help me as a player, and it will be a way of helping other athletes when I’m out of the game.”

For now, Mabee says he is excited about his opportunity to perform in the MLB Draft League, and hopes it leads to his ultimate goal of getting drafted and signed by a big league organization.

“I couldn’t wait to join up with the Scrappers because I knew being here would provide me with the best opportunity to get seen by as many eyes as possible,” Mabee said. “It’s going to be a challenge because I know I’ll be going up against the toughest competition I’ve ever faced in my life. But ultimately this will make me a better player.”

Mabee says he already feels “right at home” at Eastwood Field.

“The players, the coaches and even every one of the workers at the stadium have been awesome,” Mabee said. “I couldn’t have hand-picked a better place to spend part of my summer.”

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