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NYPL State College Spikes

Benedict Picks up First Win as Spikes Take Down Scrappers, 5-2

June 29, 2011 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE - Matt Benedict earned his first pro win with a strong five innings of mound work, and Brian Sharp's two-run single in the fifth inning helped propel the State College Spikes to a 5-2 win over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers to snap a four-game losing streak on Wednesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Sharp's base hit to left scored Derek Trent and Samuel Gonzalez to give the Spikes (3-10) a 2-1 lead. Taylor Lewis followed with a two-out single of his own to bring Sharp across and make it 3-1, State College. The Spikes added a pair of runs in the sixth inning when Gonzalez tripled to center to drive in Chris Lashmet and later scored himself on one of the four Mahoning Valley (9-4) errors in the game.

Benedict (1-0) allowed his first earned run as a professional pitcher in the fifth inning on a wild pitch, but also yielded just four hits and struck out three over five innings. The outing tied for the longest by a Spikes pitcher this season, matching the previous two performances by Nick Kingham. Benedict now holds a 0.73 ERA on the year.

Gonzalez's three-bagger was the lone extra base hit of the game, and the designated hitter also scored a pair of runs.

Mitch Fienemann (2) gave up a walk, but retired the other three batters he faced in the ninth inning to earn the save and finish his New York-Penn League-leading sixth game of the season.

Scrappers left-hander Kirk Wetmore (2-1) picked up the loss after allowing the Spikes' three fifth-inning runs, which were all unearned. The runs were the first of any kind that the southpaw had allowed in his first three starts. Wetmore also yielded four hits and a walk after allowing hitters just a .118 average in 2011 prior to the game, while also striking out six batters.

State College's victory was the first come-from-behind win of the year, as well as the first win in which the Spikes were outhit (7-5).

The Spikes will look for back-to-back wins for the first time in 2011 when they face the Scrappers in the second game of a three-game set at 7:05 p.m. Thursday. State College will have right-hander Ryan Hafner (0-0) on the mound. Hafner, originally slated for the start on Wednesday before last week's rain caused rotation changes, has not allowed a run or walk this season in two starts, and has notched six strikeouts. Mahoning Valley will go with right-hander Rob Nixon (1-1) on the hill.

Fans can enjoy more family fun on the first Kids Eat Free Thursday of the season, presented by Dairy Queen Grill & Chill. All kids ages 12 and under will receive a free hot dog, bag of chips and small soda. Plus, the first 1,000 fans of all ages through the gates when they open at 6 p.m. can wear what the pros wear when they get a Spikes Team Replica Jersey, presented byCirculatory Centers . It's also Ladies Night Out and a special Centre County United Way Partner Agency Series night.

In addition, new Penn State men's basketball head coach Patrick Chambers will be on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the game.

Fans can catch all of the action on Thursday via the Spikes Radio Network starting at 6:35 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. 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 June 29, 2011


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