NYPL State College Spikes

Big First Sinks Spikes in 4-1 Loss to Crosscutters

Published on August 24, 2015 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


WILLIAMSPORT, PA - A three-run first inning that included a two-run Jose Pujols home run was the difference in the game as the State College Spikes fell to the Williamsport Crosscutters, 4-1, on Monday night at Susquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field.

Despite the loss, the Spikes (33-28) maintained their lead in the New York-Penn League Wild Card race, with at least two games separating them from the nearest contender.

Williamsport's (40-22) opening frame started when Zach Coppola reached on a two-base error and scored on Josh Tobias's single. Pujols then slugged a pitch to left field for his second homer of the year, giving the Crosscutters a 3-0 lead.

Brendon Hayden added another run for Williamsport with a one-out double to plate Tobias after he had reached on a wild third strike.

Ronnierd Garcia knocked in the lone run for State College with a fifth-inning single as the Spikes outhit the Crosscutters (40-22) on the night, 7-4. Craig Aikin went 2-for-4 as the only State College player with multiple hits.

State College starter Josh Wirsu (0-1) settled down after the rough first inning, retiring 12 of the next 13 batters he faced following the home run. Wirsu allowed a total of three hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings in the loss.

Greg Tomchick also made his return to the Spikes bullpen as he pitched the sixth inning.

Luke Leftwich (2-1) earned the win for Williamsport as he started and went six innings on the hill. Leftwich gave up the lone Spikes run on a total of five hits, and struck out six batters on the night.

Rob Tasin (14) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning that included one strikeout for the save.

The Spikes now meet the Crosscutters on Tuesday night at Susquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field in the middle game of their three-game series. Left-hander Jacob Evans (3-1), who pitched six innings to begin a shutout victory for the Spikes against Williamsport last Wednesday, gets the start for State College. The Crosscutters will send left-hander Tyler Gilbert (3-3), who also opposed Evans on that night, back to the mound.

After the trio of games in Williamsport, the Spikes return home on Thursday, August 27 for a three-game series against Auburn. Highlights include the return of $1 Beer Thursday, presented by 93.7 THE BUS, the 4 for $44 Friday Northwest Family Value Ticket Package, and the Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 29 with a Spikes School Kit Giveaway for the first 1,000 kids.

In addition, college students across Central PA can enjoy even more value on Thursday with the College 3-2-1 Special. The College 3-2-1 Special offers any college student presenting a valid student ID at ticket and concessions windows the following special offers:

- $3 Outfield Bleacher seats or $3 off seat in any other ballpark section, excluding Pepsi Picnic Pavilion and suites

- $2 medium sodas all game

- $1 hot dogs all game

Tickets for the three games from August 27-29, as well as each of the eight dates remaining on the Spikes' 10th Season home schedule, 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 tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action on Tuesday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Hershey Medical Group, at 6:50 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Susquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by the club's flagship radio home, 95.3 FM 3WZ, and on the 3WZ mobile apps, available on Google Play and the App Store.

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



New York-Penn League Stories from August 24, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central