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NYPL State College Spikes

Grayson Homers, But Spikes Fall to Crosscutters, 8-4

August 26, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


WILLIAMSPORT, PA - Casey Grayson slugged his first home run of the season, but the State College Spikes were besieged by the Williamsport Crosscutters' offensive barrage in an 8-4 loss on Wednesday night at Susquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field.

The loss, combined with West Virginia's win, dropped the Spikes (33-30) to second place in the New York-Penn League Wild Card race, a half-game behind the Black Bears. State College does hold the tiebreaker on West Virginia, having gone 7-4 in head-to-head matchups this season.

Grayson's home run, a solo shot to right-center field, drew State College within two runs of the Crosscutters (42-22) in the sixth inning. The Spikes then loaded the bases in the seventh with two singles and an error to begin the seventh, but were turned away after a popout and a double play.

State College started the scoring in the second as Josh Swirchak narrowly missed a home run, but drove in two runs with a wall-ball double to left field. However, Williamsport answered in the bottom half of the inning with a solo home run from Jose Pujols, his fourth long ball of the season and third of the series.

The Crosscutters then tied the game on Austin Bossart's triple to center field in the second before scoring three runs in the third. Pujols and Carlos Duran each doubled in a run in the frame, while Brendon Hayden singled in another.

Hayden would go on to double in another run in the eighth as Williamsport put the game way with another three-run inning. Duran's second double and a William Cuicas sacrifice fly would complete the Crosscutters' scoring.

State College notched its final run with an RBI groundout from Swirchak in the ninth, but could get no closer.

Cole Lankford went 3-for-4 and scored two runs for the Spikes.

Spikes starter Jorge Rodriguez (4-4) took the loss after allowing five runs on eight hits and four walks over five innings. Rodriguez, who had not allowed an earned run on the road since a June 20 matchup at Susquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field, struck out two in the outing.

Jose Taveras (7-2) started for Williamsport and earned the win after yielding three runs on five hits and two walks over six innings of work. Taveras, who slid into second on the NYPL wins list behind teammate Mitch Gueller with the victory, compiled five strikeouts on the night.

Duran and Zach Coppola each produced three hits for the Crosscutters, who saw five players reach multiple hits on the game in a 14-hit effort as a team.

Williamsport's win reduced its magic number needed to clinch its first division title since 2001 to five, and ran the Crosscutters' record against the Spikes this year to 7-1.

The Spikes now head home looking to get back on track as the Auburn Doubledays (Washington Nationals) come to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for the opener of a three-game set. The 7:05 p.m. matchup will feature right-hander Dailyn Martinez (3-4) on the mound for State College against Auburn left-hander Matt Crownover (0-4).

It's $1 Beer Thursday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, presented by 93.7 THE BUS, with 12-oz. domestic draft beers just $1 each from 6-8 p.m.

Other highlights of the three-game series include the return of the 4 for $44 Friday Northwest Family Value Ticket Package, and the Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 29 with a Spikes School Kit Giveaway for the first 1,000 kids.

In addition, college students across Central PA can enjoy even more value on Thursday with the College 3-2-1 Special. The College 3-2-1 Special offers any college student presenting a valid student ID at ticket and concessions windows the following special offers:

- $3 Outfield Bleacher seats or $3 off seat in any other ballpark section, excluding Pepsi Picnic Pavilion and suites

- $2 medium sodas all game

- $1 hot dogs all game

- $1 hot dogs all game

Tickets for the three games from August 27-29, as well as each of the eight dates remaining on the Spikes' 10th Season 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.

Fans can also purchase Four-Game Playoff Packs in anticipation of potential Spikes home games during the New York-Penn League playoffs, which begin on Wednesday, September 9. Playoff Packs start as low as $16 per seat and include as much as a $4 per game savings off the single-game price. In addition, each seat purchased as part of a Playoff Pack will come with a free, limited-edition 2015 Spikes playoff T-shirt while supplies last. For more information, and to order a Playoff Pack, call the Spikes Box Office at (814) 272-1711.

Catch all of the action on Thursday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Hershey Medical Group, 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, 95.3 FM 3WZ, and on the 3WZ mobile apps, available on Google Play and the App Store.

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New York-Penn League Stories from August 26, 2015


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