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State College Spikes

Espinal Smashes Third Homer, Spikes Fall to West Virginia, 7-4

July 19, 2018 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


GRANVILLE, W.V. - Stanley Espinal hit his third home run of the season, and Brady Whalen drove in three runs, but the State College Spikes dropped the finale of a three-game set against the West Virginia Black Bears, 7-4, on Thursday night at Monongalia County Ballpark.

Espinal's long ball, a solo shot to left field in the fourth inning, was his second on the road this year and put State College (13-20) on the board.

Whalen then drove in two runs with a triple to center field in the fifth to bring the Spikes within 6-3. The Spikes' first baseman knocked in another run with a bases-loaded groundout in the seventh to make it a 6-4 game, earning his 20th RBI of the season to put him into a tie for fourth in the New York-Penn League in that category.

State College fell behind 4-0 after the third. Zach Susi's RBI single and Daniel Amaral's run-scoring groundout put West Virginia (12-21), playing as the Moonshiners for the third straight game, up 2-0 in the second.

Brett Kinneman's double and Grant Koch's sacrifice fly to center field in the third increased the West Virginia margin. Daniel Amaral then hit his second home run of the year, a two-run shot to left in the fourth, to give the Moonshiners a 6-1 lead.

West Virginia completed the scoring on Conner Kaiser's RBI fielder's choice in the seventh.

Cameron Knight produced the lone multi-hit game for the Spikes, who still took their third straight series victory on the road.

State College starter Jacob Schlesener (0-2) took the loss after yielding four runs, three of them earned, on four hits and three walks over three innings. Schlesener struck out two batters in the effort.

West Virginia starter Alex Manasa (2-4) earned the win after giving up three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out one over five innings. Conner Loeprich (2) allowed two walks, but no hits or runs, and struck out one batter for the save.

Amaral drove in a total of three runs and stole his league-leading 14th base of the season.

Friday, the Spikes head back home to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to start a weekend series against the Auburn Doubledays (Washington Nationals). The 7:05 p.m. series opener will feature right-hander Jim Voyles (2-2) on the mound for State College. Auburn will counter with left-hander Aaron Fletcher (0-0).

The fun begins as soon as gates open to the public on Friday, as Penn State Health, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics, presents a 2018 Team Poster Giveaway for the first 1,000 fans of all ages, along with a Spikes Team Autograph Session before the game.

Fans can then leap into fun as legendary linebacker LaVar Arrington makes a special appearance at the ballpark. Arrington will meet and greet fans and sign autographs during the night.

Plus, it's a 4 for $44 Friday, presented by MAJIC 99. Get four of the best seats in the ballpark, four hot dogs, and four small sodas for just $44 (an $85 value). Additional packages are available for just $11 apiece.

It's also Huntington Community Night, part of the Community Nights Series presented by CATA, with a FREE Kids Zone presented by Friends of Jake Corman, and kids can run the bases after the game.

Fans of age can also enjoy a Yuengling Happy Hour, with Yuengling drafts available at half-price from 6-8 p.m.

The series then continues on Saturday with one lucky fan 18 and over guaranteed to win a Myrtle Beach Trip Giveaway and FIREWORKS lighting up the skies after the 7:05 p.m. game presented by VisitMyrtleBeach.com on TEAM REAM Night.

Then on Sunday, July 22, the Spikes will take on the Doubledays at 6:05 p.m for the annual Paint the Park Pink event at the ballpark, presented by Mount Nittany Health, as fans can help raise funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer.

The Spikes will wear special Pink Sunrise Jerseys, which will go up for bids in a Jersey-off-the-Back Auction to benefit the Mount Nittany Health Foundation. In addition, the first 1,000 fans will receive a Pink Sunrise Shirtsey, and fans will be dazzled by another Spike-tacular post-game FIREWORKS show.

Tickets for each game from Friday through Sunday, as well as the 2018 New York-Penn League All-Star Game presented by the Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau, the 2018 NYPL All-Star Tailgate Gala presented by Reinhart Foodservice, and every game on the 2018 Spikes 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 Friday and 10 a.m. to the end of the game on Saturday and Sunday. 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.

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