Sports stats



NYPL State College Spikes

Duce Powers Spikes' 5-2 Win over Scrappers

July 25, 2019 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


NILES, Ohio - Matt Duce smashed his second home run of the year to put the State College Spikes out in front in the seventh inning, and drove in a total of three runs to produce the Spikes' margin of victory in a 5-2 win over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Thursday night at Eastwood Field.

Duce drove a 1-1 pitch from Mahoning Valley (20-20) reliever Francis Cespedes (2-3) over the right-field fence for a two-run shot to break a 2-2 tie. The Spikes (20-20) catcher, who has hit both of his professional home runs at Eastwood Field, then drove in another run in the ninth with a single to right to complete the scoring.

State College starter Dalton Roach shone on the mound in his second outing with the club as well. Roach struck out 10 batters over five innings on the hill, becoming the second Spike with a double-digit strikeout effort this season after Jacob Schlesener's team record-setting 12 whiffs on July 3 at Batavia.

Roach also allowed two runs, which came on back-to-back homers from George Valera and Yainer Diaz to start the Scrappers' half of the second, and a total of five hits and three walks.

Fabian Blanco (1-0) then threw three scoreless innings for the Spikes in which he yielded one hit before retiring the next nine batters he faced, two via strikeout, for the win. Eric Lex (2) pitched a perfect ninth and struck out one batter for the save.

Cespedes took the loss after giving up a total of two hits, including Duce's homer and recording three strikeouts in two innings of relief.

Valera's home run was his New York-Penn League-leading eighth of the season, while Diaz's dinger was his first as a member of the Scrappers.

Dariel Gomez doubled in Donivan Williams to tie the game in the fifth after a wild pitch scored Brylie Ware earlier in the frame.

The Spikes now head home to start a six-game, seven-day homestand at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Friday with a 7:05 p.m. matchup against the West Virginia Black Bears (Pittsburgh Pirates). State College will send right-hander Andre Pallante (1-0) to the mound. West Virginia has not yet named a starter for Friday's game.

The opener of the homestand will feature a special appearance by legendary Penn State running back Blair Thomas, presented by First National Bank. Thomas will meet and greet fans, throw out a ceremonial first pitch, and sign autographs during the game.

After the game, the skies will light up with a spectacular FIREWORKS show, presented by Fullington Auto Bus Company.

Friday is also Bellefonte Community Night, presented by Swartz Fire and Safety, as the Spikes honor the seat of Centre County with pre-game performance by the Bellefonte Cheerleaders and more activities, including a FREE Kids Zone presented by Friends of Jake Corman.

Fans will also enjoy a 4 for $44 Friday, presented by MAJIC 93.7, with four Diamond Club or Field Box seats, four hot dogs and four small sodas available for just $44. Additional packages can be purchased for $11 each.

In addition, it's a Fireball Friday with half-price Fireball drinks from 6-8 p.m. and a Yuengling Happy Hour with half-price Yuengling from 6-8 p.m.

More highlights of the weekend include Saturday morning's Youth Baseball Clinic presented by Penn State Health Medical Group followed by the Spikes Team Poster Giveaway for the first 1,000 fans and a Pre-Game Team Autograph Session presented by Boyles Insurance, and Sunday's Paint the Park Pink Night presented by Mount Nittany Health with a Pink Plaid Blanket Giveaway for the first 1,000 fans, a Pink Plaid Jersey-off-the-Back Auction on the LiveSource app to benefit the Mount Nittany Health Foundation and FIREWORKS after the game.

Tickets for each game during the upcoming homestand, as well as every game on the 2019 home schedule, are currently on sale through the Spikes Ticket Office. Tickets can be purchased by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting the Ticket Office in person from 9 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non-gamedays Monday through Friday.

Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action on Friday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics, 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 the club's flagship radio home, NEWSRADIO 1390 WRSC, as well as the TuneIn Radio app.

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics

• Discuss this story on the New York-Penn League message board...

New York-Penn League Stories from July 25, 2019


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