NILES — An up-and-down game which saw four lead changes eventually spun the way of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers thanks to Yo-Yo.

Yo-Yo Nunez retired five straight batters to help propel the Scrappers to a 10-9 win over Williamsport in front of a large Buck Night crowd at Eastwood Field.

Nunez is a Scrappers infielder who is used as a pitcher in emergency situations. He entered the game in the eighth inning with a runner on base and one out. He worked out of the inning. He struck out the side in the ninth in order to earn the save.

The Scrappers rallied from a 7-5 deficit with a five-run seventh inning. Jalen Jones, who went 3-for-4 with five RBIs, belted a three-run homer to break a 7-7 tie. Colin Gordon, who is batting .345 since being added to the roster two weeks ago, hit his second home run in the second inning.

Thursday marked the Eastwood Field pitching debut of 2019 Struthers High graduate Hunter Stellato. The right-hander was added to the Scrappers’ roster last week and pitched an inning while the team was on the road at West Virginia.

Stellato had a rough outing, giving up seven runs in 3 1/3 innings of work. He surrendered nine hits, issued three walks, hit a batter, and threw a wild pitch. He did record a pair of strikeouts.

Stellato recently completed his sophomore year at Westminster College, where he is majoring in Child and Family Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice. He was playing local summer ball earlier this month when he found out that the Scrappers were looking to fill their roster with local talent.

“I made a couple of calls and an hour later I got a call back from a coach saying they were interested,” Stellato said. “It was like right out of a storybook. I couldn’t believe it because I grew up loving the Scrappers and going to Eastwood Field.”

“As a kid I loved going to Scrappers games. Now it’s pretty neat to be on the other side of the line having kids watching me.”

Stellato was cheered on by a large contingent of family, friends and supporters from his hometown.

“At first when I heard a few family and friends were coming out I thought I was going to feel the pressure to put on a perfect performance for them,” Stellato said. “Then when I heard it was going to be a bigger crowd, I felt more relaxed. I just know that whatever I do the entire Struthers community will have my back. That’s the way it’s always been.”

While he has only made two appearances in his short stint with the Scrappers, Stellato said his time with the team has already been an invaluable learning experience that will help him as he continues his collegiate career.

“I’m with the best coaching staff that I’ll ever play for,” Stellato said. “All of the guys in the bullpen are giving me tips. I’m facing some future big leaguers. Regardless of what happens I’m going to benefit from being here.”

Jarrett Orbin, a 2019 graduate of Springfield Local made his Scrappers debut and worked two scoreless innings while retiring six straight batters with a pair of strikeouts.

Niles’ Tyler Srbinovich entered the game in the eighth inning. He struck out the first batter he faced but then gave up two runs on three consecutive hits before being lifted in favor of Nunez.