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NYPL State College Spikes

Former Spike Vic Black Makes ML Debut

July 26, 2013 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - Vic Black, who pitched for the 2009 State College Spikes, became the 21st player to go from Central PA to Major League Baseball on Thursday when he made his debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Black entered the game with two outs and faced two Washington Nationals batters in 1/3 of an inning at Nationals Park. The Pirates trailed 7-3 at that point, but came back to tie the game in the ninth before the Nationals won, 9-7.

A right-hander out of Dallas Baptist University, Black was selected by the Pirates as a supplemental first-round draft choice in 2009 and started his pro career with the Spikes that summer. The Amarillo, TX native went 1-2 with a 3.45 ERA in 13 appearances, seven of them starts, for the Spikes. Black also notched a save and struck out 33 batters while walking 15 in 31 1/3 innings.

Following his season with the Spikes, Black battled injuries the next two seasons before breaking through to earn Eastern League mid-season All-Star honors as a reliever at Double-A Altoona in 2012. The righty started the 2013 season at Triple-A Indianapolis, recording 15 saves in 17 opportunities and posting a 1-2 record with a 2.31 ERA in 29 appearances before being called up to Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

The list of former Spikes to have debuted in the majors this year also includes two of Black's teammates on the 2009 squad, Tony Sanchez and Phil Irwin, as well as 2010 Spikes pitcher Brandon Cumpton. Other current major leaguers to have started their road to the bigs with the Spikes include Allen Craig (2006) of St. Louis, Brendan Ryan (2006) of Seattle, Luke Gregerson (2006) of San Diego, Adam Ottavino (2006) of Colorado, Donovan Solano (2006) of Miami and Tony Watson (2007) of Pittsburgh.

Fans can see more future major leaguers this Friday and Saturday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, when the Spikes host the Auburn Doubledays (Washington Nationals) at 7:05 p.m. each night. Tickets for both games, as well as every game on the Spikes' 2013 home slate, can be purchased online at StateCollegeSpikes.com, by calling (814) 272-1711, or by visiting the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Box Office. Information on all Spikes single-game, season and group ticket packages is available at State College Spikes.com.

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