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Scrappers return home, win big

Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Buck Anderson of the Scrappers scores in the bottom of the first inning Saturday night at Eastwood Field in Mahoning Valley’s 21-6 win over State College.

NILES — An Opening Day atmosphere was present Saturday at Eastwood Field when the Mahoning Valley Scrappers hosted State College.

For the first time this season, there were no limitations on attendance. Fans responded, as a large and enthusiastic crowd filled the stands on an ideal night for baseball.

Just like the Scrappers’ home opener on May 26, a post-game fireworks show lit up the sky. And just like they did in that opener 11 days ago, the Scrappers came away with a win over the Spikes.

This time, it was one of the most lopsided wins in Scrappers history.

The Scrappers scorched the Spikes 21-6, lifting their home record to 5-0.

Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Scrappers outfielder Jason Hinchman (center) reacts following a two-run shot during the bottom of the fourth inning.

With the win, the Scrappers lift their overall record to 9-2, tops in the MLB Draft League.

“We couldn’t wait to return home, we couldn’t wait to play in front of a nice home crowd,” Scrappers left fielder Jason Hinchman said. “Our crowds were fun that first homestand when things were limited. We were talking on our bus ride back home about how this should be a fun series.”

As he has done all season, Hinchman made things fun for the home fans with his bat. Hinchman — who leads the league with 13 RBI — gave the Scrappers a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when he singled in Buck Anderson for the game’s first run.

After the Spikes took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third, Hinchman helped spearhead a six-run outburst in the bottom half of the frame.

Hinchman pushed across the first run of the inning with a double. Bobby Sparling, Dan Harwood, Duncan Hewitt and Jalen Jones all followed with RBI hits.

Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Scrappers starting pitcher Ethan Brown fires a strike during the third inning against State College.

One inning later, Hinchman belted his first home run of the season — a two-run blast — in a five-run frame. The Scrappers scored 16 runs in the middle three innings, batting around each time.

Hinchman finished the night with three hits in five at-bats, knocking in five runs.

“I’ve been pretty fortunate batting clean-up most of this year, the guys in front of me have been doing a great job getting on base,” Hinchman said. “I’ve had a lot of singles, I’ve been looking to add some power to my game.

“As a team, we’re just feeding off of each other. There’s a lot of energy in the dugout and on the field.”

The Scrappers’ four through seven hitters — Hinchman, Sparling, Harwood and Hewitt — combined for 11 hits (six extra base hits), 16 RBI and 10 runs.

Leadoff hitter Mathieu Vallee batted seven times. He reached base four times on a base hit and three walks, scoring three runs.

The Scrappers and Spikes conclude their two-game series today at 4:05.

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