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NYPL State College Spikes

Gonzalez Knocks in Game-Winner as Spikes Beat Scrappers in Eleven, 5-4

September 4, 2012 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte made a rehab appearance for the State College Spikes on Tuesday, but it was Samuel Gonzalez who stole the show by scoring Derek Trent with a single in the bottom of the eleventh inning to give the Spikes a 5-4 victory over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Tuesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Marte led off and served as State College's (33-41) designated hitter for the evening. The native of the Dominican Republic reached base via an error in the first inning, but did not collect a hit in five at-bats. The 22-year likely appeared in his only game for the Spikes before moving on to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Trent started the Spikes' rally in the eleventh with his leadoff double to right field. After a Walker Gourley sacrifice bunt moved him to third base, Trent then scored with the winning run when Gonzalez's ground ball up the middle found its way to the outfield.

State College played from behind throughout the game, starting in the fourth inning when Mahoning Valley scored a pair of runs on a Jorge Martinez sacrifice fly and a Richard Stock double. The Spikes returned the favor when D.J. Crumlich scored on a wild pitch in the bottom half of the inning to make it 2-1, but the Scrappers came back with another two runs on Erik Gonzalez's RBI single and an error in the fifth inning to boost their advantage to 4-1.

In the bottom of the fifth, though, Chris Diaz doubled in a run to chip away at the Spikes' deficit. State College then tied the game in the sixth. Jacob Stallings began the frame by reaching on an error and then scored on a throwing error by catcher Eric Haase. One batter later, Jimmy Rider drove in his first run as a Spike with a groundout to short that scored Jesus Vasquez to knot the game, 4-4, before Gonzalez's heroics in extra innings.

Crumlich was the lone Spike with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 on the evening.

The Spikes received a trio of good pitching performances, starting with Tyler Glasnow, who went four innings and allowed two unearned runs on four hits and a walk. Glasnow also struck out four in his State College debut.

Dalton Friend then hurled five innings for the Spikes, giving up two runs, one earned, on four hits and a walk while striking out two. Kyle Haynes (3-2) finished off the night with two scoreless innings in which he yielded one hit and struck out two for the victory.

Scrappers reliever Luis Encarnacion (0-2) took the loss after giving up the Spikes' winning run in the eleventh inning. Encarnacion allowed both Trent and Gonzalez's hits over 1/3 of an inning.

Gonzalez and Stock two hits for Mahoning Valley, while Robel Garcia contributed a double to the Scrappers' cause.

The two clubs combined for seven errors, with the Scrappers guilty of four miscues and the Spikes three.

Wednesday night, the Spikes and Scrappers finish their two-game series with the 2012 season finale at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. 18-year-old right-hander Luis Heredia (3-2) gets the start for State College in his final outing of the season. Heredia allowed two runs on four hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings in his last start at Jamestown on Thursday in the first game of a twin bill. Mahoning Valley is slated to have right-hander Luis Morel (2-5) on the hill.

The season finale will be the last opportunity for fans to enjoy Central PA's Best Family Value this summer, and the Spikes are going out with a bang as the skies light up after the game for an EXTENDED FIREWORKS show presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, part of the Penn State Hershey Bone & Joint Institute.

Fans can also take advantage of the final Half-Price Wednesday of the year, presented by BIG Froggy 101. Get into the ballpark with half - price Outfield Bleacher tickets, then enjoy half - price select domestic draft beers from 6-8 p.m. and half - price fountain drinks all evening long.

In addition, the Spikes will show their love to the fans who have supported them throughout the 2012 season with giveaways and great prizes on Fan Appreciation Night.

Returning college students can also take advantage of the College Student 3-2-1 Special, presented by BioLife Plasma Services . Any college student showing a valid ID will get $3 off any seat at the ballpark (except suite and picnic tickets), along with $2 sodas and $1 hot dogs all game long.

Plus, the first 100 Penn State students showing a valid ID at the table on the concourse will be able to receive a free hot dog thanks to Lions Crossing, Nittany Crossing and State College Park .

Tickets for Wednesday's season finale 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 Wednesday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, at 6:35 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live 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 95.3 FM 3WZ.

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