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Having some support

NILES – Casey Shane finally received a helping hand.

The Scrappers right-hander had pitched well enough to deserve better than a 0-2 record entering play Thursday. He added to the run with a strong effort in 5 2/3 innings of work as the Scrappers defeated the Auburn Doubledays, 4-3, Thursday at Eastwood Field.

When Shane exited after walking Andrew Stevenson in the top of the sixth inning, he had allowed three hits, while striking out seven and walking two. However, all he had to show for his work at the time was a 2-0 deficit and potentially another loss.

That changed before the sweat on Shane’s brow had dried. The slumbering Scrappers offense showed signs of life in the bottom of the sixth by collecting five hits and taking advantage of a big error in scoring four runs.

“A couple of mistakes that we made to that put them in a position to score, too,” Scrappers manager Travis Fryman said. “That’s rookie ball. The team that makes the fewest mistakes wins or walks the fewest batters wins.”

Shane retired the side in order in each of the first three innings. He struck out the side in order in the second and opened the third with a strikeout.

Shane’s control was pinpoint most of the game, which was a welcomed sight for Fryman.

“He’s only had one bad outing, and that was in Batavia when we exchanged lineup cards and it rained in the first inning,” Fryman said. “He had gone through all of that and we had to start him two days later. That really disrupted his normal preparation and he wasn’t very sharp. Other than that outing he’s been pretty good for us.”

Will Castro opened the sixth for the Scrappers with a single off starter Jefry Rodriguez. Ka’ai Tom followed with a single, but Mark Mathias failed to move the runners when he popped out to Rodriguez on a bunt attempt.

Emmanuel Tapia singled to right, with Castro holding at third. Doubledays shortstop Edwin Lora then mishandled a ground ball by Austin Fisher, allowing Castro to score.

Nate Winfrey singled home Tom to tie the score, 2-2. A single by Connor Marabell scored Tapia and Fisher to give the Scrappers a 4-2 lead.

“We made some big hits with runners in scoring position,” Marabell said. “Helped our pitcher out, big time.”

Scoring runs has been a chore for the Scrappers at home. While it can’t be called an outburst, the four runs could be a catalyst.

“Absolutely it will loosen stuff up,” Marabell said. “Hopefully, we can get some more wins here soon.”

The Doubledays added one run in the seventh when Max Schrock led off with a triple and scored on a fielder’s choice by Jakson Reez.

The Doubledays, who won the first two games of the three-game series, scored two runs in the fourth. Rafael Bautista led off with a double and scored on a single by Stevenson. Stevenson stole second and moved to third on a throwing error by catcher Daniel Salters. He scored when Salters threw wild to third on a pick-off attempt.

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