NYPL State College Spikes

Anderson, O'Keefe Key Spikes' 5-2 Win over Jammers

Published on July 6, 2014 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - Will Anderson pitched seven strong innings and Brian O'Keefe hit his first professional home run to help the State College Spikes stretch their winning streak to five games with a 5-2 victory over the Jamestown Jammers on Sunday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Anderson (2-1) followed his record-setting seven-inning, 10-strikeout performance last Sunday against Williamsport with another solid performance against Jamestown (8-15). The right-hander from Pleasanton, CA allowed two runs on five hits while striking out four. Anderson, the Cardinals' 26th-round draft choice last year out of Cal State-Monterey Bay, also ran his streak of innings without giving up a walk to 15.

O'Keefe's two-out two-run homer to center field in the fourth inning gave the Spikes (16-7) their first lead of the game at 3-2. The Cardinals' 2014 seventh-round draft choice was also behind the plate for each of Anderson's last two starts.

Danny Diekroeger and Jake Stone each contributed multiple hits for State College, with Diekroeger smashing a triple. Stone's single in the third inning plated the Spikes' first run and upped his RBI total to nine over the last four games.

Rowan Wick also knocked in his New York-Penn League-leading 28th run of the year with a single in the eighth to plate a State College insurance run. Ronnierd Garcia followed with a sacrifice fly to close out the scoring.

Kyle Grana (2) pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his second save of the year in as many opportunities.

The Spikes have not only won their last five games, but also their last five games at home. State College also held on to first place in the NYPL Pinckney Division by one game over Batavia with the win.

Jamestown starter Tyler Eppler (0-1) took the loss in his third meeting against the Spikes this year. Eppler gave up three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five over five innings of work.

Chase Simpson drove in a run for the Jammers with a second-inning sacrifice fly, while Carl Anderson brought in the other Jamestown run with a third-inning single. Anderson went 2-for-3 on the night with a triple. The loss ran Jamestown's losing string to seven games.

The 4,240 fans in attendance also paid tribute to the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our nation at home and abroad on Military Appreciation Night at the ballpark, presented by Beer Belly's.

Monday, the Spikes hit the road for the first game of a two-game set against the Auburn Doubledays at Falcon Park. The 7:05 p.m. matchup will be the first time State College has faced an opponent outside of Williamsport, Jamestown and Batavia this year. Left-hander Dewin Perez (1-1) is due to get the ball for the Spikes, while the Doubledays are slated to start right-hander Matt Derosier (0-1).

The Spikes will return home on Wednesday to begin a six-game homestand with the NYPL's New York City teams coming to Medlar Field at Lubrano park. The Brooklyn Cyclones (New York Mets) and Staten Island Yankees (New York Yankees) will be the opposition over the six-night stretch as fans enjoy another jam-packed promotional schedule. The slate includes Half-Price Wednesday, presented by BIG Froggy 101, followed by the return of $1 Beer Night on Thursday, presented by 93.7 THE BUS.

The first 1,000 fans of all ages will receive a Spikes Fleece Blanket, presented by Penn State Federal Credit Union, on Friday night. Fans will also be thrilled by a pair of fantastic FIREWORKS shows next weekend, with Saturday's show presented by Penn State Sports Medicine and Sunday's show presented by First National Bank and ESPN Radio 1450.

The Spikes' home games on Wednesday through Friday against Brooklyn will begin at 7:05 p.m., as will Saturday's matchup against Staten Island. Sunday, the Spikes and Yankees tangle at 6:05 p.m., with Monday's Super Splash Day game set for a noon start.

Tickets for all six games during the upcoming homestand, as well as every game remaining on the Spikes' 2014 home schedule, arecurrently on sale through the SpikesBoxOffice bycalling(814) 272-1711orbyvisitingin person. Fans can also buy and print single-game tickets by visitingStateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action on Monday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented byPenn State Sports Medicine, at 6:50 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented byMount Nittany Health, on the air from Falcon Park. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by95.3 FM 3WZ, and on the 3WZ mobile apps, available on Google Play and the App Store.

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New York-Penn League Stories from July 6, 2014


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