NYPL State College Spikes

Garcia Gets Four Hits, But Spikes Fall to 'Cutters Comeback, 7-6

June 20, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


WILLIAMSPORT, PA - Ronnierd Garcia collected four hits and ended up just a triple short of the cycle, but the Williamsport Crosscuters scored six runs in a rainy ninth inning to deal the State College Spikes a 7-6 loss on Saturday night at Susquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field.

Garcia, making made his first start of the 2015 season, started the scoring with a solo home run to left-center field in the third inning. The third baseman then produced a pair of doubles and a single in a perfect night at the plate.

Despite his efforts and a four-run ninth that staked the Spikes (0-2) to a five-run lead going to the bottom of the rain-soaked inning, Venn Biter's grand slam drew the Crosscutters (2-0) within a run. After a pair of walks and a groundout that moved runners to second and third, Grenny Cumana then lined a ball to center field that just barely missed the glove of a diving Thomas Spitz to score a pair of runs and give Williamsport the win.

State College had taken the lead in the eighth as Casey Grayson started the rally by drawing a two-out walk and moved to second on a passed ball. Grayson then scored when Spitz reached on an error to break a 1-1 tie.

The Spikes would score four more runs in the ninth inning on Leobaldo Pina's bases-loaded double and another two-run double by Grayson before the Crosscutters' comeback.

Rain dropped on both teams from the sixth inning onward, starting as a light drizzle and picking up intensity as the game wore on.

Williamsport's Jose Pujols also produced a four-hit night, contributing a triple and three singles, including one to lead off the ninth. Jan Hernandez put the Crosscutters on the board in the fifth with a solo home run to left-center field.

Spikes starter Jorge Rodriguez yielded one run on four hits and one hit batsman while striking out three. Tyler Bray then provided two scoreless inning of relief and struck out one. Kender Villegas followed with a perfect eighth before allowing four hits, including Biter's grand slam, before Pedro Echemendia (0-1) faced the game's final four batters for State College to take the loss.

Feliberto Sanchez (1-0) picked up the win for Williamsport despite allowing two runs on two hits and a walk while recording just one out, a strikeout, in the ninth. Franklyn Kilome gave up a run on three hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings while starting on the mound for Williamsport.

The Spikes and Crosscutters will now return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Sunday for a 6:05 p.m. matchup to finish the opening set of the season on Father's Day. State College will send right-hander Dailyn Martinez (0-0), who made one start for the 2014 New York-Penn League championship team last year, to the mound. Williamsport will go with right-hander Jose Taveras (0-0).

Gates for the game open to the public at 5:00 p.m., and the first 999 fans will receive a Replica NYPL Championship Ring. One lucky fan will then have the chance to win an Authentic NYPL Championship Ring. Ten finalists will be selected, and will be eliminated throughout the night until only three competitors are remaining. After the game, those three will play a very special game of Championship Ring Toss to determine who walks away with the same ring as players, coaches and staff from last year's title team.

All 1,000 rings are presented by First National Bank, which will also present another fantastic FIREWORKS show following the game and the chance for families to get together for Kids Day at the ballpark.

Kids will eat and play for free on Sunday thanks to Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, and dads and kids can enjoy a pre-game catch on the field. After the game, all kids 12 and under can run the bases thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.

It's also Veteran Appreciation Day presented by SGT Bob and VFW Post 5825 - Pine Grove Mills.

Tickets for the remainder of Opening Week, as well as every game on the Spikes' 2015 home schedule, 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 Sunday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Hershey Medical Group, at 5:35 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, 95.3 FM 3WZ, and on the 3WZ mobile apps, available on Google Play and the App Store.

Spikes fans can also catch live coverage of Sunday's game against the Crosscutters on WHVL-TV beginning at 6 p.m., with Steve Jones joining Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com on the call. Check WHVL.com to find what channel WHVL is located at on your local cable system in Central PA.

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics



New York-Penn League Stories from June 20, 2015


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