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NYPL State College Spikes

Bencsko's Walk-Off Blast Caps Comeback for Spikes in 7-6 Win

July 11, 2011 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - Justin Bencsko delivered a walk-off home run to end the game in the ninth inning as the State College Spikes came from five runs down in the seventh inning to defeat the Batavia Muckdogs, 7-6, on Monday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Bencsko sent a 3-2 pitch from Batavia reliever Ricky Martinez (0-1) to the Outfield Bleachers in right field with one out in the ninth inning to give State College back-to-back wins for the second time in 2011, with both Sunday and Monday's wins coming in the Spikes' final at-bat.

State College (7-18) was down, 6-1, after Batavia got a solo homer from Joey Bergman off Stetson Allie and scored another run on a passed ball in the top of the seventh inning. The Spikes started to come back, though, when Matt Skirving delivered his first double of the game to knock in Samuel Gonzalez, followed by a looping single by Alex Fuselier to plate Skirving.

The Spikes then added three more runs in the eighth inning, starting with a leadoff triple by Kirk Singer, who tied the Spikes' single-game triple record for the second night in a row with another pair of three-baggers. Singer crossed the plate on Gonzalez's RBI single to make it a 6-4 game, and after Carlos Mesa doubled to the wall in left field, Skirving struck his second double of the game to right to bring two runners in and tie the game, setting up Bencsko's bomb in the ninth.

Batavia (13-12) had taken four out of five games against State College on the week, and looked to take the series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park after scoring three runs off Spikes starter Ryan Hafner in the second inning to take the game's first lead. Singer's first triple of the game brought in Bencsko in the third inning to give State College its first run, but the Muckdogs benefited from a Spikes error in the fourth inning to bump their lead up to 4-1.

Singer and Gonzalez each delievered three hits, while Bencsko, Skirving and Chris Lashmet had two apiece. The Spikes' total of 14 hits was the highest in any game this season, and the win gave them their second series victory of the year at home.

Kevin Kleis (1-1) retired six consecutive batters over the last two innings to earn the victory. Allie allowed two runs on three hits and three walks while striking out one over two innings of work. Hafner was tagged for four runs, three of them earned, on five hits and two walks over four innings.

Martinez faced just two batters in the loss for Batavia. Muckdogs starter Seth Maness made another strong outing against the Spikes, yielding his first earned run in six appearances as a professional on six hits and striking out three batters over six innings.

After an off day Tuesday, the Spikes will head to New York City to take on the Staten Island Yankees, who hold the New York-Penn League's best record at 19-4. State College will start the three-game set with a 7 p.m. matchup against the Yankees on Wednesday.

Right-hander Jordan Cooper (0-1) is slated to take the ball for the Spikes in the series opener. Cooper took the loss in his pro debut on Thursday night in Batavia. The Shelbyville, TN native was drafted in the 23rd round this year out of the University of Kentucky. Staten Island's starter has not yet been announced.

The Spikes will return home on Sunday, July 17th, to start a two-game homestand against the rival Williamsport Crosscutters (Philadelphia Phillies) with a 6:05 p.m. matchup. Fans can join the Spikes in honoring our nation's heroes on Military Appreciation Night, with a patriotic post-game FIREWORKS display presented by Your Building Centers.

Tickets for Sunday's game, as well as every Spikes regular season home game, are currently on sale through the Spikes Box Office by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting in person. Fans can also buy and print single-game ticket by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action on Wednesday via the Spikes Radio Network at 6:45 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live from Richmond County Bank Ballpark. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.

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New York-Penn League Stories from July 11, 2011


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