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NYPL State College Spikes

De Leon's Homer Keys Comeback in 5-3 Win over Scrappers

July 23, 2014 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - Alex De Leon's sixth home run of the year started a State College Spikes surge, and the Spikes turned a 3-0 deficit into a 5-3 win over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Wednesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

De Leon's solo shot in the sixth inning put the Spikes (27-12) on the board for the first time. State College then scored another run in the frame when Nick Thompson reached base on an error, new Spike Kenny Peoples-Walls doubled, and Thompson crossed the plate on a wild pitch.

The Spikes then scored three times in the eighth, all with two outs, to take the lead for good. Brian O'Keefe's ground-rule double to left field scored Jake Stone to tie the game, and one batter later, Ronnierd Garcia brought in a pair of runs with a single to cap the scoring.

Both O'Keefe and De Leon contributed multiple hits for the Spikes, who did not get a hit until the fourth inning.

State College reliever Anderson Gerdel (2-0) picked up the win with two scoreless innings of relief, giving up two hits while recording a strikeout. Nick Lomascolo (1) pitched a perfect ninth inning, including one strikeout, for the save.

Mahoning Valley (16-23) homered twice off of Spikes starter Cody Schumacher in the third inning to gain the early advantage. Taylor Murphy struck the first blow with a two-run homer to right-center field, followed by Yonathan Mendoza's solo shot to right field two batters later.

Schumacher rebounded to produce a quality start, though. The righty faced the minimum 12 batters over his last four innings of work, and ended up allowing just three runs on four hits while striking out four batters during a career-long six-inning outing.

Luis DeJesus (2-3) took the loss in relief for the Scrappers after being charged with two runs on a hit and a walk over an inning-plus on the mound. DeJesus struck out two and was tagged with the runs after Luke Eubank allowed both of the Spikes' clutch hits in the eighth.

State College snapped a three-game losing streak with the victory, and maintained a seven-game lead over second-place Williamsport in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division.

Thursday, the Spikes welcome the Auburn Doubledays (Washington Nationals) to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for a 7:05 p.m. matchup to start a three-game series. State College will send right-hander Will Anderson (4-1), who has won each of his last four starts, to the mound to face Auburn right-hander James Bourque (1-1).

$1 Beer Night returns to the ballpark on Thursday, presented by 93.7 THE BUS, as the Spikes take on Auburn at 7:05 p.m. Fans can purchase 12-oz. select domestic draft beers for just $1 apiece from 6-8 p.m. In addition, the first 1,000 fans of all ages will receive a Spikes Team Poster, presented by Fullington Bus Company.

The homestand continues on Friday, and fans will be thrilled by Pyro Musical FIREWORKS, presented by VisitMyrtleBeach.com, after the 7:05 p.m. game. Plus, one lucky fan age 18 or over will win a trip to Myrtle Beach, SC on Friday thanks to VistiMyrtleBeach.com as well.

Saturday, fans will enjoy the return of "Duck Dynasty" Cast Member Mountain Man, presented by Service Master by Holobinko & Merry Maids and BIG Froggy 101. "Mountain Man" will meet and greet fans and be part of the in-game entertainment at the Spikes' 7:05 p.m. game that night against Auburn.

Tickets for the three games remaining on the Spikes' homestand, as well as every Spikes home game on the 2014 slate, 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 Thursday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, at 6:35 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air 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, and on the 3WZ mobile apps, available on Google Play and the App Store.

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New York-Penn League Stories from July 23, 2014


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