The Citizen staff report

After taking two out of three at home against the Scrappers, the Auburn Doubledays fared much differently in Mahoning Valley.

Though they played errorless defense, the Doubledays managed just four hits in a 4-3 loss at Eastwood Field Friday night.

The Scrappers struck first for the third straight game after Auburn starter Shane Benson (1-1) gave up a one-out triple to Dustin Realini, who scored one batter later on a groundout.

Auburn took its first lead of the series, though, in the fifth inning. With one out, Kelly Sweppenhiser was hit by a pitch, and Jonathan Diaz followed with a single. Scott Campbell then singled to right field to plate Sweppenhiser, and Diaz scored on a groundout by Ben Zeskind.

The lead didn't last long, however.

The Scrappers stromed right back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead for good. Benson was tagged for five hits in the inning, and did not return for the sixth. He finished with two strikeouts and allowed seven hits and four runs.

The Doubledays tacked on a run in the seventh, but didn't have enough for a rally. Sweppenhiser was hit by a pitch for the second time, and Diaz follwed suit. Sweppenhiser scored on the next at-bat when Campbell hit into a force out.

Read the full report in Saturday's edition of The Citizen.