NILES — Walks have proven to be a vital part of both the Mahoning Valley Scrappers success and failures through the first nine games of the season.

On Thursday, the Scrappers were on the wrong end of the walk parade, resulting in an 11-5 setback to Williamsport at 717 Credit Union Field.

Five Scrappers pitchers combined to issue 12 free passes.

Williamsport wasted no time getting on the board against Scrappers starter Shea Wendt, scoring two first inning runs by way of a pair of singles, a walk and a double steal.

The Scrappers immediately responded in the bottom of the first in somewhat similar fashion. Jack Cannon walked to start Scrappers’ half of the frame. That was followed by a Jarren Purify single. Cannon and Purify stole third and second, respectively, then both runners scored on a Tommy Harrison single to right field.

The Scrappers took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the second. A pair of walks and a hit batter loaded the bases for Purify, who responded with an RBI sacrifice fly.

In the third, the Scrappers added two more runs. Daniel Stewart belted a line drive home run over the left field wall giving the Scrappers a 4-2 advantage. That was followed by a Nick Williams triple, who scored on a James Whitman double.

Williamsport scored a run in the fourth to cut its deficit to 5-3. The Crosscutters then walked their way to a 7-5 lead in the fifth inning. Scrappers reliever Samuel Round entered the game and immediately walked four straight batters. Round was replaced by Danny Heintz, who allowed the three runners he inherited to score.

Walks continued to plague the Scrappers in the seventh. Williamsport put two runners on base with back-to-back walks to start the frame. One out later Chancellor Jennings blasted a three-run homer to extend the Crosscutters’ lead to 10-5.

The Crosscutters concluded the scoring with a Nate McHugh solo homer in the eighth inning.

The Scrappers return to 717 Credit Union Field tonight for the start of a three-game home series against West Virginia.