By Ed Farrell
Herald Assistant Sports Editor
IT’S NO coincidence the Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ early-season success and the bat of Bo Greenwell were working in harmony.
The Scrappers swept a season-opening series against Jamestown, then continued their winning ways during their initial ’09 homestand at Eastwood Field against State College.
Meanwhile, Greenwell garnered at least 2 hits in each of the squad’s first 4 games, highlighted by a 3-for-5, 2-runs scored, 2-RBI plate performance in a 12-2 recent rout of the Jammers. The following afternoon he added another pair of hits (arguably could have had a 3rd, though an infield grounder was ruled an error) including a key base knock in Mahoning Valley’s 9th-inning rally resulting in a 1-0 win in the series finale with Jamestown.
A 4-pitch outburst included leadoff man Lurvin Basabe’s base hit to right, followed by 1st-pitch swinging Greenwell’s grounder in the 1st-2nd hole that sent Basabé to 3rd. On the 1st pitch he saw, Kyle Bellows belted a sac fly for the lone run in Sunday’s matinee.
“That’s my job right there as a No. 2 hitter,” Greenwell gushed. “Fastball — look for something I could handle, something I could drive. ... I don’t usually bunt unless I’m told to. Being a left-handed hitter, and I’ve established the trust with Travis (Fryman, the Scrappers’ 2nd-year skipper). He’d seen me play in spring training, and he knows I can handle those situations, and that’s what I live to play for — that pressure right there, that’s fun, it really is!”
In addition to the lone blowout, 3 of their 1st 4 wins have been 1-run affairs. Consequently, the Scrappers are leading the New York-Penn League’s Pinckney Division.
“As a team, that’s what you want ... you want to establish that fan-base right away to show that you’re a winner, keep the fans coming back,” Greenwell observed, adding, “On a personal note, that’s how you want to start it. (Four) multi-hit games in a row, that’s fun! That’s what you work hard for.”
Interestingly, Fryman, a 5-time all-star during his productive 13-year MLB career, realizes that in skippering a Short-Season single-A squad he has to be acutely aware of young players’ emotional make-up, particularly self-confidence.
“At this level of play, you don’t always manage to win the game. I hate to say it that way, but player development is important, Fryman said, explaining, “ ... some decisions you make are based on the player-development philosophy of the (Cleveland Indians’) organization.
Following Sunday’s win, a grinning Fryman said, “In the end, the good guys won,” though he later cautioned, “Jumping out early’s nice (such as Saturday night’s win), but to get a look at how your club responds in a close ballgame is important, too. ... It was a good look at our ballclub, what we’re capable of doing, and it’s nice to see our club in that light, because it helps me as we go forward.”
Eschewing a sacrifice bunt in the 9th on Sunday with Greenwell, according to Fryman, was “more of a decision based on the fact Bo’s been swinging the bat well, left-handed batter, with Basabé on first base, we had a bigger hole there. ... He’s swinging the bat well, and he earned the right. I’m a big believer in what’s a player doing lately? You see a body-of-work, too,” Fryman continued, “but I also know how hitting, is an ebb-and-flow. The guys’ swinging the bat well and his confidence level is high, some of those situations you give him a chance to do something exciting.”
Obviously, the cast of characters from last season’s Scrappers has changed, but perhaps recalling the 31-44 ledger of ’08, Fryman said,
“I learned last season not to make too many judgments too soon with players. So maybe we’ll just wait and see how the summer goes; but, certainly, they’ve all gotten off to a good start.”
It’s been a lot of fun thus far, and if seeing the Scrappers is something you’re considering, they’re worth a look.
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SCRAPPERS NOTEBOOK: Greenwell's hot bat helps MV to great start
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PIAA Track: Hickory's Bell, Lubarski, Regginello grab gold
SHIPPENSBURG — There’s a big difference between being seeded 1st and finishing 1st — Matt Bell can attest to that.
After settling for silver last year, the Hickory High senior put the shot 59 feet, 6 3/4 inches Friday afternoon to garner gold at the annual PIAA Track & Field Championships at Shippensburg University. -
WM to play for D-10 baseball title; GC, Sharon, Sharpsville lose
Four area baseball teams were in action on Friday in the District 10 semifinals as the squads battled to compete for District 10 championships on Monday.
West Middlesex rolled past error-prone Linesville, 8-0, in Class A action at Slippery Rock University’s Jack Critchfield Park.
In Class AA, both Sharon and Sharpsville suffered 2-1 losses. The Tigers fell to Saegertown at Ainsworth Field in Erie while the Blue Devils lost to Titusville at SRU.
In Class AAA, the Grove City Eagles were denied the chance to defend their D-10 crown after suffering a 6-3 loss to Warren at SRU. -
Farrell volleyball falls in D-10 semifinals
The Farrell High boys volleyball team suffered a 2-0 (25-15, 25-12) loss to Saegertown on Thursday night in the District 10 semifinals at Meadville Area High’s “House of Thrills.”
“This was the first year we made it out of the first day (pool play) of the playoffs,” said Steelers’ coach Dan Dragicevic. “I’d like to cite my seniors (Eric Demus, Anthony Perkins, Jaylen Chambers and Lawrence Hughes). -
Locals ready to go for gold at Shippensburg
Now that Mercer County is on the map, it’s incumbent upon the area aggregation to chart a course for the ultimate destination — Seth Grove Stadium’s medals stand — during this weekend’s PIAA Track & Field Championships.
Led by West Middlesex High sprinter Clay Allen, many Mercer Countians are seeded at or near the top of their respective events for the annual 2-day marathon at Shippensburg University, which commences 9 a.m. Friday. It will continue beginning 9 a.m. Saturday. -
D-10 Playoffs: Local teams go 6-for-6
ä Grove City 1, Harbor Creek 0 — At Slippery Rock University’s Jack Critchfield Park, what the Grove City Eagles couldn’t accomplish themselves, the Harbor Creek Huskies unwittingly did for them.
Unable to plate runs themselves, Torin Smith scored the Eagles’ only run when teammate Tyler Devine’s seeming inning-ending pop-up to left field was dropped by Harbor Creek’s Chris Merritt in the bottom of the 7th inning of Tuesday’s tourney opener. -
Great year for WM track; local qualifiers listed
It’s been a big year for the Big Reds.
Though there’s no official documentation, the 2011-12 academic year may be the most successful in West Middlesex High’s athletic annals. -
SPORTVIEW: Local names Kroko, Lutz, Kareklas in news elsewhere
IT’S ALWAYS GOOD to hear of former area people who have gone on to athletic success in other areas, or the family of former area residents. Following are a few of those stories:
ä Bob and Betty Kroko of Sharon are avid followers of professional baseball. No, not necessarily the Pittsburgh Pirates or Cleveland Indians like many local fans.
The Krokos keep a close eye on the Austria Major League! -
Petty an all-around great athlete in track and gymnastics
When Mercer County’s contingent convenes at the annual PIAA Track & Field Championships this weekend, it will be well represented
Clay Allen, Matt Bell, John Yohman, Johnathan Jacoway, Jeremy Jansco, Nico Zahniser, DeShawn Coleman, Dan Jaskowak, et all, should haul home some hardware. But with all due respect, the aforementioned young men may or may not be best athletes in the area’s aggregation that will assemble this weekend at Shippensburg University. -
Lubarski, Richards, Petty, Allen shine at D-10 Track Championships; Hickory girls, WM boys team champs
Hickory High’s high-jump state champion Lauren Lubarski suffered a severe blow to open her competion at the annual District 10 Class AA Track & Field Championships Saturday at Hickory HIgh Stadium.
She failed to qualify for state in the event she had won the previous year. -
Baseball, softball D-10 playoff pairings
The District 10 pairings for the baseball and softball playoffs have been released. Five area baseball teams and four (possibly 5) softball squads have qualified.
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