NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes make tracks toward winning season in 2009

Published on July 4, 2009 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA --- Saturday afternoon's thrilling 5-4 victory over the rival Williamsport Crosscutters was the State College Spikes third consecutive win and moved the club to the .500 mark at 8-8 for the first time in two summers. The Spikes are clearly making tracks toward a winning and entertaining season on the field at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park and erasing the memory of the club's unusually-low, 18-win campaign in 2008. The Spikes have even shown drastic improvement since the beginning of this season. Players not on the Spikes' Opening Day roster who have helped the club reel off wins in six of their past nine games include key 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates' draft picks like supplemental first round selection, pitcher Victor Black, third round outfield Evan Chambers, ninth round infielder Brock Holt, 11th round first baseman Aaron Baker and 21st round right-handed pitcher Phillip Irwin. Spikes fans were also treated to an appearance by the fourth overall selection in this year's MLB Draft, catcher Tony Sanchez, during the June 21 home game against Williamsport, which gave further credence to the club's slogan, "The Bucs Start Here".

"We are putting together a great blend of experience and youth and our players are working hard and are quickly buying into what it takes to be professional baseball players," said first-year Spikes manager Gary Robinson. "We're going to continue grinding out, we're going to get to work at 1 p.m. every day, and we're going to teach them individually as players while teaching them things that are going to help the ballclub win and things that are going to make the fans proud to come out and see this team."

By contrast, the 2008 Spikes, which posted an 18-56 record and just a .243 winning percentage, received season-long contributions from only two of the Pirates top 10 round draft selections in fourth round shortstop Chase d'Arnaud and eighth round third baseman Jeremy Farrell. The only other 2008 Pirate draftees to suit up for State College were third round shortstop Jordy Mercer and ninth round infielder Matt Hague, who combined to spend just 13 games in a Spikes' uniform.

"We have an exceptional group of talented young players on this team and not only are we currently playing quality winning baseball, but it's obvious that we are watching a great crop of future Pirates players, which of course reinforces our longtime slogan ‘The Bucs Start Here,'" said Spikes' General Manager Jason Dambach. "With all of the great value promotions we have in place for our fans to enjoy and the continued fun, affordable family atmosphere which is so present on a game night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, it's easy to underestimate the importance of a winning team. But here in State College, the final score is important to fans who attend our games and on the nights when the team is winning the experience of a Spikes game is second to none and one that residents of our region should make sure they don't miss."

The Spikes return home on Tuesday, July 7, to start a three-game series with the Batavia Muckdogs (St. Louis Cardinals) at 7:05 p.m. Fans can take advantage of Buck Bleacher Night, with all Outfield Bleacher tickets available for $1 apiece. It's also Going Green Tuesday presented by WTAJ, with a 2009 Spikes Team Photo Poster Giveaway to the first 1,500 fans of all ages. Fans can also get their poster autographed by the Spikes at the Pre-Game Team Autograph Session at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

July 8, the Spikes face the Muckdogs at 7:05 p.m. on Half-Price Wednesday at the park, with Outfield Bleacher tickets, sodas, hot dogs and hamburgers available at half-price throughout the game, and half-price 16-ounce beers available from 6-8 p.m. Plus, if the Spikes win, fans can redeem their tickets to Wednesday's game for a free ticket to Thursday night's game as part of "We Win, You Win Night".

The Spikes and Muckdogs finish their series on Thursday, July 9 with Kids Eat Free Thursday. All kids ages 12 and under will get a voucher good for a free hot dog, chips and small soda. Fans can also enjoy CSI Night and help solve a ballpark mystery.

The Spikes then complete their homestand with a three-game set against the Jamestown Jammers (Florida Marlins), starting Friday, July 10 at 7:05 p.m. It will be a 4 for $44 Friday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, with four Diamond Club seats, four hot dogs and four small sodas available for just $44 or $11 per person. Plus, the first 250 fans will receive a Mystery Autographed Baseball, and everyone can enjoy a spectacular postgame fireworks display presented by Old State Clothing Company.

Saturday, July 11, the Spikes take on the Jammers at 7:05 p.m., and every fan in attendance will be a winner on Scratch ‘n' Win Saturday. The first 1,000 fans will also receive an authentic 28-inch Wooden Bat, and kids can run the bases after the game.

The Spikes and Jammers then finish their series on Sunday, July 12 at 6:05 p.m., with another fireworks show after the game and a pre-game catch on the field. In addition, the Spikes celebrate the returns that make us both clap and cringe with Comeback Night at the park. Also, kids can sign up for the Youth Baseball Clinic, with registration at 11 a.m., and then run the bases after the game.

Tickets are available by contacting the Spikes Box Office at 877-99-SPIKES or by ordering on-line at www.statecollegespikes.com.

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics

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