NILES — Following a series at Williamsport in which the Mahoning Valley Scrappers dropped all three games while managing just five runs. The Scrappers returned home Friday to host the Canadian Junior National Team.

The break from MLB Draft League competition was just what the Scrappers needed to break out of their offensive slump.

The Scrappers scored multiple runs in each of the first three innings, leading to a 12-3 win over Canada at 717 Credit Union Field.

The weekend series is part of the MLB Draft League International Series in which all six Draft League teams will play a three-game series against either Canada’s Junior National Team or Team Mexico.

Both Canada and Mexico entered Friday with an 0-6 record against Draft League opponents.

Canada’s Junior National Team consists of amateur players 18 years of age or younger.

In the bottom of the first inning, the Scrappers strung together three consecutive two-out hits to grab a quick 3-0 lead. Carlos Sanchez and Tommy Harrison reached on back-to-back singles, setting the table for Tristan Strickland. The Scrappers center fielder delivered with a line drive home run over the right field wall, his first homer of the season.

The hit and run parade continued in the second. This time, it was three straight hits to start the inning which led to runs. Edison Palonco led things off with a single. Nick Williams followed with a double. Both runners scored on an Ethan Lindor base hit.

Canada cut its deficit to 5-2 in the top of the third. An error and two wild pitches aided the cause, along with an RBI base hit by Elliot Lascelles.

The Scrappers answered with three runs in the bottom of the third and the route was on.

Harrison added a three-run homer in the sixth.

Sanchez, Harrison, Williams, Lindor and Bryce Hubbard all had multiple hits for the Scrappers.

A trio of Scrappers pitchers – Hunter Watson, Danny Heintz and Chris Billingsly – combined to give up just four hits while recording 11 strikeouts.

The Scrappers and Canada return to 717 Credit Union Field tonight at 7:05. Tonight is the first bobblehead giveaway of the season. The first 1,000 fans will receive an Ernie Clement bobblehead.

CALM BEYOND HIS YEARS

At 20 years old, Jarren Purify is one of the younger players on the Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ roster.

Yet despite his youth, Purify possesses a calmness, whether it be in the batter’s box or on the infield. It’s almost a “been there, done that” mentality with every at-bat and every fielded ground ball.

And with good reason.

While most 20-year-old amateur players are still waiting for their ESPN Top Ten moment, Purify was thrust into the SportsCenter spotlight eight years ago at the age of 12.

A Detroit native, Purify was part of the Grosse Pointe Woods-Shores (MI) team which advanced to the 2018 Little League World Series. During the regional tournament leading up to Williamsport, Purify went 9-for-10 at the plate, including a two-run homer which advanced his team. In the LLWS, Purify’s defensive play at third base earned him multiple appearances on the ESPN Top Ten highlight reels.

“Being put in that sort of spotlight at an early age definitely helped me down the road,” Purify said. “At that age you’re still very much growing as a player and as a person. You’re 12-years-old and all of a sudden you go from playing in front of a few fans to playing in front of a sold out crowd and on national TV.

“Looking back, that experience helped give me the confidence and the right mindset moving forward.”

As a sophomore in high school, Purify helped lead University Liggett to a state championship. In Purify’s senior season, he hit .437 with 44 runs, 10 doubles, eight home runs, 35 RBI and 19 steals. For his efforts he was named the 2023 Michigan Prep Baseball Player of the Year.

Purify also achieved a lifelong dream when he committed to the University of Michigan during his senior season. However, later that year Michigan coach Erik Bakich left the Wolverines to take over the Clemson program, and Purify followed.

Purify recently completed his junior season at Clemson, where he batted .344 with five home runs and 21 RBI. He’s already served as a two-time team captain.

“I’ve been extremely blessed to be surrounded by some great coaches and some great programs,” Purify said. “My youth baseball coach, I still talk to him all the time and he taught me so much. Every time I talk to him I remind him how grateful I am that he believed in me and he led me down the right path. From a baseball perspective he led me to where I’m at today.”

“I was lucky to be part of a great high school program with a lot of tradition. At Clemson I couldn’t ask for better coaches and teammates. They’re the reason I changed course. And it all worked out for the best.”

Purify, an infielder who primarily plays second base with the Scrappers, hasn’t missed a beat in his MLB Draft League debut. Entering Friday’s game against the Canadian Junior National Team, Purify was batting .350. He leads the Scrappers in home runs (3), RBI (10) and runs scored (13).

This is the first year during his college career that Purify has played in a summer league.

“The past two years I worked out on my own, I played ball but it was nothing like this,” Purify said. “Here, you get a look at what it’s like to play every day, to travel, and to play with and against some of the best players in the game.”

“This has been a great experience. Very challenging and it gives you an opportunity to see where you stack up.”

For now, Purify plans to return to Clemson for his senior season – a plan which could change depending on the outcome of the upcoming MLB Draft. Purify is majoring in Health Science.

“We’re all here for the same reason, we’re all aiming to get to the professional level,” Purify said. “But I’m not losing focus on Clemson. I pride myself in loyalty and everyone at Clemson has been good to me. I want to give back.

“Regardless of what happens, I’ll still be playing the game I love. I can’t ask for anything more than that.”