NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Sunk By Walk-off Homer As Crosscutters Take 2-1 Victory

Published on September 4, 2010 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


WILLIAMSPORT, PA - The State College Spikes fought back to tie the game late, but Carlos Alonso's walk-off home run on the first pitch of the ninth inning gave the Williamsport Crosscutters a 2-1 win on Saturday night at Historic Bowman Field.

Alonso's home run over the left field wall off of State College (32-42) reliever Trent Stevenson (0-2) was the last strike in a low-scoring affair that saw the Spikes force the Crosscutters (43-32) to hit in the bottom of the ninth after knotting the game, 1-1, in the top half. Kevin Mort scored the tying run after singling to lead off the inning, leading to Matt Curry's pinch-hit single and Pat Irvine's RBI groundout.

Williamsport had scored the first run of the game in the seventh inning when Alonso doubled and Edgar Duran brought him in with a single. The Crosscutters stayed a half-game ahead of Jamestown for the New York-Penn League's Wild Card berth with the victory.

Miguel Mendez went 2-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt for the Spikes, who mustered five hits as a team. Gerlis Rodriguez also contributed a double to the State College cause.

Stevenson took the loss after allowing both Crosscutters runs in 3 1/3 innings, his second-longest outing as a Spike. The right-hander yielded a total of four hits and two walks while striking out one.

Indian left-hander Rinku Singh also made his debut for State College on Saturday, tossing two scoreless innings and allowing one hit while striking out one.

Juan Sosa (3-2) picked up the win for Williamsport one night after notching the save. Sosa gave up the Spikes' ninth-inning run on a total of two hits and a walk while striking out one.

The loss was the ninth in a row for State College and the fifth consecutive road defeat, both season highs.

Sunday, the Spikes and Crosscutters finish off the 2010 regular season at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park with a 6:05 p.m. matchup. Williamsport needs a win or a Jamestown loss to make the postseason as the Wild Card. State College will try to put a damper on those hopes with left-hander Colton Cain (1-1) on the mound. The Crosscutters will counter with right-hander David Buchanan (3-1).

A plethora of fun, family activities will make the last blast of the summer of 2010 a memorable one at the ballpark, starting with a Pre-Game Catch on the Field. Fans can also enter to win one of several great prizes on Fan Appreciation Night, including an iPod Nano, an Xbox 360, or a plasma flatscreen TV. In addition, it's ‘90s Nickelodeon Night at the ballpark, thanks to fan suggestions made on the Spikes' Facebook page at www.facebook.com/StateCollegeSpikes.

After the game, the fun continues as kids can run the bases thanks to HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital. Plus, a fantastic FIREWORKS display puts the perfect capper on a summer of fun at the ballpark on THON Night.

College students can also take advantage of the special offers available for the final time in 2010. The 3-2-1 Special lets any college student across Central PA showing the proper ID purchase $3 Outfield Bleacher tickets, with $2 small sodas and $1 hot dogs available all game long. College students can also partake in the 4 for $24 special, with four Outfield Bleacher tickets, four small sodas and four hot dogs available for just $24.

For more ticket information on how to enjoy the last opportunity at Central PA's Best Family Value in 2010, visit the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Box Office, call the Spikes at (814) 272-1711, or log on to StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Fans can catch all of the action via the Spikes Radio Network and flagship station 95.3 FM 3WZ starting at 5:35 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, including the presentations of the Spikes Player of the Year, Spikes Pitcher of the Year, and Spikes Leadership awards.

The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics

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New York-Penn League Stories from September 4, 2010


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