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NYPL State College Spikes

Cooper and Castro Combine To Help Spikes Cruise To 5-1 Win Over 'Cutters

July 18, 2011 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - The State College Spikes took control early against the Williamsport Crosscutters, scoring three runs in the first inning and letting strong pitching from Jordan Cooper and Orlando Castro carry them to a 5-1 win against the ‘Cutters on Monday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

State College (9-22) got four innings of quality work from both Cooper in a starting role and Castro (1-0) in relief. Cooper allowed only an unearned run in the second inning, and yielded three hits total. The 23rd-round draft pick of the Pirates this year from the University of Kentucky walked a batter and plunked a batter, but also struck out a career-high four.

Castro made his Spikes debut on Monday after coming up from the Gulf Coast League, and immediately made a mark with four shutout, one-hit innings. The righty from Honduras gave up just one hit and one walk, and retired the Crosscutters (16-15) 1-2-3 in three of his four innings for the relief win.

The Spikes got the first lead of the game with a trio of runs in the very first frame. Justin Bencsko led off with a base hit, then stole second base and scored on Alex Dickerson's single to center field. It was the first RBI of Dickerson's professional career.

Taylor Lewis followed with an RBI double two batters later to plate Chris Lashmet, then came home himself on Samuel Gonzalez's single that fell in between two outfielders to make it 3-0.

State College continued the offensive attack in the second inning after Williamsport scored its only run on an RBI single by Kenny Miramontes. Ashley Ponce scored on a base hit by Alex Fuselier accompanied by a pair of errors to make it 4-1, Spikes. Derek Trent then added an insurance run for State College with a triple to center field to bring in Gonzalez and complete the scoring.

Bencsko and Gonzalez both had multi-hit performances for the Spikes, with Gonzalez adding a walk to reach base three times. State College also produced a 4-for-4 night in stolen base attempts.

Vince Payne pitched a nearly perfect ninth inning, allowing only a walk, to finish the game for the Spikes.

Williamsport starter Adam Morgan (0-2) took the loss after allowing four runs, three of them earned, on eight hits while striking out three.

Tuesday, the Spikes hit the road to start a two-game road trip against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Cleveland Indians) with a 7:05 p.m. matchup at Eastwood Field in Niles, OH. State College will send left-hander Zack Dodson (0-0) to the mound for the second start of his rehab assignment from Single-A West Virginia. Mahoning Valley will go with right-hander Will Roberts (0-0).

The Spikes next homestand at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park will open this Thursday, July 21 with the first of two games against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Cleveland Indians' affiliate), followed by a three-game set against the Brooklyn Cyclones (New York Mets' affiliate) from Saturday the 23rd through Monday the 25th.

The homestand is headlined by several throwback nights, including a 1971 Pirates-style Spikes Jersey-Off-the-Back Auction on the 22nd, a 70s-Style Spikes Cap Giveaway on the 23rd, and an appearance by former Penn State quarterback and current NFL running back Michael Robinson on the 24th. Plus, fans will receive a First Base Replica Giveaway presented by WJAC on Thursday the 21st, celebrate Christmas in July on the 25th, and watch as FIREWORKS light up the night skies on the 22nd and 24th.

Businesses, church groups, sports teams or any other group of 20 or more people can also take advantage of the "20 for $200 Special." The "20 for $200 Special" offers a Field Box ticket, hot dog and small soda to each member of the group for just $10 per person. Plus, when your group reserves this special package, the group can designate one person to throw out a pre-game ceremonial first pitch from the mound and the group will be announced on the video board during the game.

Half-Season Tickets are now also available for as low as $110 per seat. Fans can treat family, friends, clients, and employees to exclusive seats for all Spikes home games starting July 30. Half-Season Ticket holders will also receive all the same benefits and experiences of a Full Season Ticket holder for the remainder of the season.

Tickets for games in the upcoming homestand, 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 Tuesday via the Spikes Radio Network at 6:50 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live from Eastwood Field. 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 18, 2011


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