NYPL State College Spikes

d'Arnaud delivers as Spikes top Doubledays in home finale

Published on September 4, 2008 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA-2008 Spikes Player of the Year Chase d'Arnaud drove in the game-winning run with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth inning, and the Spikes defeated the Auburn Doubledays, 3-2, in the 2008 home finale at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Thursday night.

4,554 fans witnessed the home finale to set a single-season attendance record at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. A total of 153,350 fans came through the gates at the ballpark this year to watch the Spikes' 38 home contests.

State College (18-54) won its second game in a row in the bottom of the eighth. Miguel Mendez led off the inning with a base hit, and was pinch-run for by Adenson Chourio. After Chad Rice laid down a sacrifice bunt, Chourio stole third base. David Rubinstein and Ciro Rosero were then walked back-to-back, and d'Arnaud delivered the eventual game-winning sacrifice fly to center, scoring Chourio.

The Spikes were outhit, 11-3, by Auburn (37-36), but used all three hits to full advantage. Rubinstein led off the game with a triple, then scored on Rosero's RBI groundout to give State College the early lead. The Spikes tacked on another run in the sixth when Rubinstein walked, advanced to third on an errant pickoff throw, then scored on Rosero's RBI single.

The Doubledays scored both of their runs in the seventh, tying the game when Bartolo Nicolas drove in a run with an RBI single, and Adam Amar delivered a one-out sacrifice fly to tie the game and set the stage for the Spikes' half of the eighth.

Nicolas ended the game with three hits for Auburn.

Mike Williams (2-2) earned the win for State College, ending the seventh by getting the final two outs. Williams then earned the distinction of being the first Spike in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park history to strike out four batters in one inning when his third strike pitch to Bryan Kervin went to the backstop, allowing Kervin to reach base. The lefty came back to strike out Chris Hopkins to end the inning.

Gary Amato earned his first save of the year for the Spikes, finishing the game by eliciting a 6-4-3 double play.

Jared Potts (1-1) took the loss for Auburn, allowing the game-winning run in the eighth. Potts finished with that run against him on a hit and two walks, striking out one in two innings.

Prior to the game, d'Arnaud was presented with the Spikes Player of the Year award, joining 2007 winner Justin Byler as recipients. Right-handed reliever Alan Knotts earned the Spikes Pitcher of the Year award after leading the team in strikeouts through Wednesday with 51. Knotts joins 2007 winner Tony Watson as recipients of the award.

The Spikes finish the 2008 regular season with a two-game series in Batavia against the Muckdogs. Game one of the series will be at 7:05 on Friday, with right-hander Ramon Aguero (1-9) going for the Spikes against righty Adam Veres (0-1) of Batavia.

Catch all the action on flagship station 3WZ at 95.3 FM and the Spikes Radio Network starting at 6:50 with the Spikes GameDay Show, live from Dwyer Stadium.

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics

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