University Park -- The State College Spikes and the Batavia Muckdogs locked up in a classic pitcher's dual on Monday evening, with State College coming out on top 1-0. Spikes hurlers combined to allow only two hits on the night, and the Muckdogs never got a runner passed first base in the game. Offensively, the Spikes were not much better, collecting only three hits, but they took advantage of 10 free passes from the Muckdogs to get the victory. The win was the Spikes seventh in a row, matching the franchise high set last season from August 7th - 13th.
Matt Foust made the start for the home team and had his most impressive outing of the young season. Foust, the Pirates' 6th round selection in the 2007 MLB Draft, tossed six near-perfect innings, allowing only one hit and one walk, while striking out eight. Foust's performance was rewarded with a no-decision however, as the Spikes threatened several times but were never able to score while he was on the mound.
In the third, State College got runners on second and third with only one away, but a strikeout of Smelin Perez and a foul out from Andrew Walker left the runners stranded. The Spikes had another golden opportunity in the fifth, with runners on second and third with one out once again. This time, it was a pair of pop outs that stopped the rally. The Spikes mounted a threat once again in the seventh, as three walks loaded the bases with two outs, but Perez struck out and the scoreless tie carried over into the eighth.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Spikes rallied once again, but this time they were able to break the scoreless tie. Walker started the inning with a lined single to left field, only the Spikes third hit of the game, and was then pinch run for by speedster James Barksdale. Bobby Spain's sacrifice bunt moved him to second, and a wild pitch on ball four to Miles Durham moved runners to the corners with one out. With pinch-hitter Justin Byler batting, another wild pitch allowed Barksdale to score what proved to be the game's only run as the Spikes held on to win 1-0.
Taylor Cameron (2-0) relieved Foust and tossed two scoreless innings before Ronald Uviedo pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up his third save of the year.
State College will go for eight in a row tomorrow evening when RHP Dionis Rodriguez (1-0) takes the mound for the Spikes. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. The home stand continues on Wednesday with a special 1:00 p.m. start for Independence Day. Great tickets are still available and they can be purchased over the phone by calling 877-99-SPIKES, logging on to StateCollegeSpikes.com, or in person at the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park box office.
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