In probably one of the most enjoyable nights in Mahoning Valley Scrapper history, Aberdeen brought “The Animal” out of the Scrappers.  Ingenious promotion.  George “The Animal” Steele was on hand to sign autographs and chose the winner of a laser hair removal contest awarded to the contestant with the hairiest back.  The weather was perfect.  The Scrappers, paced by the hot bat of Giovanny Urshela, were victorious with a 9-6 triumph over the Cal Ripken Jr. owned Aberdeen Iron Birds.

The Scrappers hit the board first in the home half of the opening inning.  Carlos Moncrief was hit by a pitch.  Kevin Fontanez singled, and then Giovanny Urshela crushed the ball into the left field visitors bullpen to stake Scrapper starter Michael Rayl to some rare early-inning run support and a 3-0 lead.

Aberdeen scored a pair of runs in the second on a Michael Rooney sac fly and a Trent Mummey RBI-single to make it a 3-2 game.

In the bottom of the second, Moncrief  (pictured) destroyed a 2-0 pitch to deep right field, and he knew it.  After the contact, Moncrief flipped the bat out to the side and watched the ball.  Rounding third, Manager Travis Fryman did not congratulate Moncrief and was obviously irritated by the display of celebration.  In fact, Fryman did not return to coach third base the next inning but stayed in the dugout to have a heart-to-heart with Moncrief about the situation.

“If we were not shorthanded, he would not have stayed in the game”, commented Fryman.  “We had a talk.  Carlos has been stellar this year and he works as hard as anybody on this team.  I have never seen that side of him, and I don’t think we will see it again.

The Scrappers added another run in the third when Aberdeen pitcher Tyler Sexton’s throw to first base went to the stands allowing Urshela to sneak home from third and build the lead to 5-2.  One of the newest Scrappers, Jesus Aguilar, belted his first homer of the season in the fifth, a two-run jack, to increase the lead to 7-2.

Giovanny Urshela had a huge game for Mahoning Valley going 3-4 with four RBI to raise his batting average to .292.  The 18-year old Colombian has been stellar at third base all year and has been coming to life with the bat.  Fryman commented on the offensive progress of his young prospect.  “He seems to get better and better and has been one of the few bright spots this Summer.  He is maturing and looking like he has a chance to be a great player someday.  Playing at this level with older guys has been good for him and forced him to get better.”

The win brought the Scrappers record up to 19-30.  The two teams will play again Sunday at 5.  The game will feature Luke Holko who will be accompanied by his parents, Chad and Nicole, to honor his one day contract as an honorary Scrapper.  Holko was struck in the back of the head by a foul ball last September at a Scrappers game.  Nobody was sure where young Luke would be in a year, but all signs indicate significant progress toward his recovery.