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NYPL State College Spikes

Gomez Swats Homer as Spikes Sweep Scrappers with 3-1 Win

June 27, 2019 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - Dariel Gomez smashed a solo home run, his third of the year, to help the State College Spikes take a three-game series sweep over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, as well as their fifth straight home win, with a 3-1 victory on Thursday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

With their win and Batavia's extra-inning loss against West Virginia, the Spikes (9-4) now hold sole possession of first place in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division.

Gomez sent an 0-1 pitch from Mahoning Valley (7-6) starter Matt Turner (0-2) on a line into the right field bleachers in the fourth inning. The Santo Domingo Este, Dominican Republic native is now tied with three other players tied for the league lead in long balls.

State College (9-4) jumped on the board in the second after Stanley Espinal walked and scored on Matt Duce's double. Espinal then brought home Jonatan Machado with an infield single in the third to extend the lead to 2-0.

Mahoning Valley scored its lone run in the sixth. Johnathan Rodriguez was hit by a pitch with two outs and then came home on Billy Wilson's double to right.

Spikes starter Enmanuel Solano (1-1) earned the win with six innings of one-run ball. Solano escaped a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the first by elicting a double play, then cruised from there to yield a total of three hits, two walks, and two batsmen. The right-hander also recorded five strikeouts.

After two scoreless innings of relief from Eli Kraus, Logan Gragg (1) nailed down the win in the ninth for the save. Gragg gave up a single and a walk to the first two batters of the frame, then after a sacrifice bunt, struck out Jonathan Lopez and Korey Holland back-to-back to end the game.

Espinal reached base four times in four plate appearances for the Spikes, notching two hits and two walks.

Turner, who started the game for the Scrappers, took the loss despite a quality start. The left-hander allowed three runs on six hits, three walks and a hit batsman while striking out one batter over six innings.

The Spikes now turn their attention to the second half of the homestand as the Auburn Doubledays (Washington Nationals) come to town for a three-game series. State College swept a two-game series over the Doubledays at Falcon Park last week.

Friday's 7:05 p.m. series opener at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park will feature left-hander Jacob Schlesener (0-1) on the mound for the Spikes. Auburn is slated to send right-hander Niomar Gomez (1-1) to the hill.

It will be a historic night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park with the Spikes' first-ever National Pride Month Celebration taking place on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in Greenwich Village, New York, which were largely responsible for launching LGBTQ+ movements worldwide.

The first 500 fans through the gates, which open to the public at 6 p.m., will get a Pride Hat Giveaway. The hats feature a rainbow flag pattern inside the Spikes' "Ribbon-S" logo.

In addition, all fans are invited to participate in an On-Field Pre-Game Pride Parade that will begin at 6:30 p.m.

After the game, the skies will light up with a fantastic FIREWORKS show presented by Penn State Student Orientation and Transition Programs.

It's also 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 $44 - an $85 value. Kids can also run the bases after the game.

Fans can enjoy great specials and promotions on Fireball Friday as well, with half-price Fireball drinks from 6-8 p.m., and a Bud Light Happy Hour with half price Bud Light products from 6-8 p.m.

Tickets for all three home games from Friday through Sunday, 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.

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