NILES — The first three innings of Saturday’s game between the State College Spikes and Mahoning Valley Scrappers included a trio of rare events.

Two went the Scrappers’ way, but they weren’t enough to offset the one that favored the Spikes. In the end, State College walked away with a 9-4 win to even the three-game series at one game apiece.

In the bottom of the first, Scrappers first baseman Brandon Hylton belted a massive 431-foot home run over the center field wall, one of the longest home runs in Eastwood Field history. The blast – Hylton’s second first-inning home run in as many days – gave the Scrappers a 2-0 lead.

In the top of the second inning, Scrappers starter Tony Rossi struck out the side in order, resulting in free burritos for all fans in attendance. Prior to Saturday, the “Strikeout The Side” promotion hadn’t produced free burritos in at least four years.

From that point on, however, it was all Spikes.

State College scored four runs in the top of the third thanks to a comedy of errors by the Scrappers defense. There were four errors committed in the inning by Scrappers infielders. State College collected just one hit in the inning and left the bases loaded.

The Scrappers committed a fifth error in the sixth that led to another State College run. The Spikes then poured it on with a Kyle Huckstorf two-run homer in the seventh.

The Scrappers and Spikes will play the rubber match of their three-game series today at 2:05. Preceding the game, Eastwood Field will host the annual Niles Hot Dog Harry Stevens festival, which begins at 10 a.m.

HARAJLI FEELS AT HOME

As someone who grew up in the Midwest, Scrappers pitcher Ahmad Harajli feels right at home.

“I love it here. I love the community, the hospitality, everything about the area,” Harajli said of the Mahoning Valley. “This place has the same feel as home.”

Even for a Michigan native who now plays for the Wolverines?

“Yeah, I do hear it from the (Scrappers) fans every now and then, I get the occasional ‘Go Bucks,'” Harajli says with a laugh. “It’s all in fun. I give it right back to them.”

Harajli has indeed settled into his summer digs at Eastwood Field. A starting pitcher, he is tops with the Scrappers in games started (5) and innings pitched (20.2). He’s expected to make one more start before the first half of the MLB Draft League season ends with the conclusion of games this Tuesday.

“I love being a part of this league because each team I’ve faced has thrown out a really strong lineup with a lot of talent, so it’s made me a better pitcher,” Harajli said. “And, just being around these players and coaches who are a great group of guys has been a learning experience.

“Everything from the facilities to the coaches and the competition gives this a vibe of professional baseball.”

Harajli is a 2019 graduate of Dearborn High School, where he was a four-year standout on the diamond. Though he was already committed to playing at Michigan, Harajli attended the famed IMG Academy in Florida for a year before enrolling in college. Otherwise, he would have still been 17 years old on his first day of classes.

“It turned out to be a positive move,” Harajli said. “From a baseball standpoint it helped me mature both mentally and physically. At the same time I was able to get a jumpstart on my college courses.

“That was the year of the COVID shutdown, so looking back it was probably better from a personal standpoint that things got disrupted before I began my college career.”

Harajli grew up a lifelong Michigan sports fan, attending Detroit Tigers games and “going to the Big House in the fall” to watch the Michigan football team.

While he was always an avid baseball fan, he didn’t begin playing organized sports until he was 11 years old.

“I had a decent arm so in that aspect I caught on quickly, but in terms of a baseball IQ I had some catching up to do,” Harajli said. “But I loved the game so much, I was very eager to learn.”

In college, Harajli was immediately thrust into the baseball spotlight. He made his Michigan debut in the State Farm College Baseball Showdown and struck out two batters in a scoreless inning of work in a win over Kansas State. The game was played at Global Life Field, the home of the Texas Rangers.

Two days later, he recorded his first save of the season.

“It’s always been a dream to play for Michigan, it’s been a great experience in every way to this point,” Harajli said.

Harajli just completed his redshirt sophomore season of baseball. He is three years into his studies in sports management.

sports@vindy.com