UNIVERSITY PARK - The State College Spikes lost a marathon of a game to the Batavia Muckdogs on Wednesday evening, falling in 11 innings by the score of 7-6. In a game that lasted over four hours, the Spikes committed six errors that lead to three unearned runs. Justin Byler provided the offensive fireworks for State College, collecting three hits in his third straight game while driving in a pair as well.For the second night in a row it was the Muckdogs who jumped out to an early lead with a single run in the second and a pair in the third for a 3-0 lead, and for the second night in a row, the Spikes clawed their way right back into the game. Brian Friday started a two-out rally with a walk and moved to second on a single from Matt Cavagnaro. Keanon Simon was the next batter to step to the plate, and he opened the Spikes scoring with an RBI single and moved to second on a throw to third to put two runners in scoring position for the hottest hitter in the Spikes lineup. Byler continued his hot play with a two-RBI double that knotted the score at 3-3.
An inning later State College continued their offensive onslaught thanks to a two-RBI double from Brian Friday that gave the Spikes their first lead of the night at 5-3. The Spikes advantage was short lived however as Batavia drew even with a pair of runs in their next turn to knot the score at 5-5. An inning later the Muckdogs continued the see-saw scoring with a single run off of Spikes reliever Daniel Moskos to take a 6-5 advantage.
But once again the Spikes came back to draw even. Simon started the inning with a single before moving to second on a balk to put himself in scoring position with only one out. Andrew Walker, who was making his first start in a week due to a wrist injury, chased Friday home with a single to center that tied the score a 6-6 and also lead to the ejection of former Spikes coach and current Muckdogs hitting coach Mike Shildt who argued the safe call at home plate.
The teams matched zeroes until the top of the eleventh inning when the Muckdogs took the lead for good on a Jonathan Edwards home run off of Jorge Charry (0-3) that lead off the frame. The Spikes went in order in the bottom of the inning as the Muckdogs held on for a 7-6 win.
The Spikes will now head on the road for a pair with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers starting tomorrow evening at 7:05 p.m. The team will return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Monday for a special Labor Day affair featuring post-game fireworks presented by 95.3-3WZ. Great seats are still available for Monday and the rest of the Spikes final homestand 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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