NYPL State College Spikes

Late Crosscutters Rush Sets Spikes Down to Defeat, 9-6

Published on September 2, 2012 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - David Valesente's two-run single in the sixth inning gave the State College Spikes a four-run lead that looked safe, but a six-run eighth from the Williamsport Crosscutters enabled them to get past the Spikes, 9-6, in front of 5,063 fans at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Sunday night.

Valesente's base-hit to left-center field brought in Samuel Gonzalez and Dilson Herrera to cap off a three-run frame for the State College (33-40) in the sixth, enlarging their lead to 6-2 going into the seventh inning. Williamsport (28-45) would respond with a solitary run in that inning, though, on an RBI single from Cameron Perkins.

The Crosscutters had loaded the bases in the sixth and seventh, but cashed in another bases-loaded situation in the eighth in a big way. With two outs and Chace Numata on base, Spikes reliever John Kuchno (0-1) yielded a walk and an infield single to Kyle Hoppy to fill the basepaths. Perkins, the next batter, then grounded a ball up the middle that looked like an easy play for Herrera for the final out. However, the ball kicked off of second base instead, turning the play into a two-run single for Perkins to draw the 'Cutters within a run.

Williamsport then scored the tying run on an error off of the bat of Chris Serritella, and after another walk, Mitch Walding brought in two more runs with a single to center field. New State College pitcher Kevin Kleis then erred on a ball to bring in another Crosscutters run and complete the scoring.

State College had taken the opening lead of the game in the third inning when Chris Diaz knocked in Yhonathan Barrios with a single to center field. The two teams then started to trade runs back and forth, with Williamsport getting on the board in the fourth inning with a double by Larry Greene to bring home a run and the Spikes bouncing back to score on Herrera's triple and Eric Wood's RBI groundout in the bottom half of the inning.

The Crosscutters then plated a run in the fifth inning when Roman Quinn sent a ball flying to the warning track in right for an RBI double, but Barrios took advantage of two Williamsport errors in the bottom half of the frame to put State College back out in front, 3-2.

The Spikes then got their final surge going in the sixth with base hits by D.J. Crumlich, Gonzalez and Herrera, with Herrera's infield single scoring Crumlich. Valesente then delivered his blow, which looked to be enough for State College until the 'Cutters' late rally.

Diaz and Herrera each collected three hits for the Spikes in the game, with Diaz adding two stolen bases and Herrera one. State College was 4-for-4 in steal attempts as a team during the game.

Kuchno drew the loss for the Spikes after allowing six runs, five of them earned, over one inning on the mound. The right-hander yielded five hits and two walks while striking out one.

State College starter Jason Creasy was thwarted in a quest for his first professional victory despite going the requisite five innings on the mound and giving up just two runs on five hits and a walk.

Williamsport reliever Mike Sisto (1-3) got the win with a scoreless, one-hit seventh inning on the hill. Geoff Broussard (7) tossed two shutout frames in the eighth and ninth while allowing two hits in the process for the save.

Serritella finished the game 3-for-6 for the Crosscutters, while Perkins notched three runs batted in. Williamsport won despite leaving 13 runners on base during the contest.

Monday, the two teams return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park at the special time of 4:05 p.m. for a Labor Day game to finish the 2012 edition of the SawBuck Series. State College will have left-hander Joely Rodriguez (3-3) on the mound for his 14th and final start of the season, while Williamsport will go with left-hander Luis Gonzalez (0-3). The Crosscutters hold the lead in the season series, 6-5.

Fans will enjoy Buck Night at the ballpark, presented by 95.3 FM 3WZ. Get into the park with $1 Outfield Bleacher tickets, and then partake in $1 hot dogs, $1 small sodas and $1 peanuts all game long.

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 each of the three remaining Spikes regular season home games in 2012, 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 Monday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, at 3:35 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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New York-Penn League Stories from September 2, 2012


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