NILES — Playing baseball on an every-day basis can be either a blessing or a curse, according to Mahoning Valley Scrappers outfielder Bobby Sparling.

“If you’re in a groove, you can’t wait for that next game,” he said. “As soon as one game ends you can’t wait for tomorrow. When you’re in a slump it can become a grind. You look forward to those rare days off. You just want a chance to regroup.”

While Sparling has been in a season-long groove, the Scrappers as a whole have been in a slump as of late.

After starting off the season with six straight wins, the Scrappers lost six of eight heading into Wednesday’s game against State College.

On Wednesday, the Scrappers (12-7) regained their groove in a 6-3 win over the Spikes at Eastwood Field.

State College scored the game’s first run in the top of the third inning. Lukas Cook led off with a walk, then eventually came around to score on a Hyland Hall sacrifice fly.

The Scrappers quickly took the lead in the bottom of the third. Mathieu Vallee and Darren Baker began the frame with back-to-back singles, then both scored on base hits by Sam Crail and Duncan Hewitt.

State College regained the lead in the sixth with a pair of runs. The Spikes led off the inning with a walk that chased Scrappers starter Cole Ayers. A pair of stolen bases and a single gave the Spikes a 3-2 advantage.

Ayers entered the game with a 4-0 record and a 2.25 ERA. He surrendered just one hit in five-plus innings of work, but his four walks prevented him from earning a team-high five wins.

The Scrappers took the lead for good with a four-run seventh inning. Hewitt and Branden Comea each picked up an RBI while Crail knocked in the other two runs with a two-out single.

Davis Feldman pitched a scoreless eighth, giving up a double. Aaron Haase pitched a perfect ninth, recording a pair of strikeouts.

“This league is a challenge night after night,” Sparling said. “The pitching is pretty much what I expected, seeing a lot of guys throw in the mid-90s. It’s been a great challenge but a lot of fun.”

Sparling went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and two runs scored. He entered the night batting .333 and was second in the league with 15 RBI.

“I’ve been pretty fortunate in that I haven’t missed much time off through COVID,” said the Florida native who played at Daytona State. “We were one of the few places that played last spring and summer. Not missing a beat paid off.”

Sparling is also enjoying his time in the Mahoning Valley.

“When I first got here they said this was a small town with nothing to do,” Sparling said. “That’s not true at all. I love it here, and I especially love the weather. In Florida I’d be burning up right now.”

The Scrappers and Spikes conclude their three-game series tonight at 7:05.