
Miscues Cost Spikes in 6-1 Setback at the Hands of Scrappers
July 19, 2011 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release
NILES, OH - Two early errors and three hit batsmen contributed to an early deficit for the State College Spikes, and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers held on to down the Spikes, 6-1, on Tuesday night at Eastwood Field.
After a scoreless first inning, Mahoning Valley (18-14) plated the first run of the game off of State College (9-23) starter Zack Dodson (0-1) after Jordan Smith was hit by a Dodson pitch, advanced to third on an error by Spikes first baseman Alex Dickerson, and scored on a fielder's choice. The Scrappers would add two more runs in the third inning on an error, two more hit batsmen, a Tony Wolters RBI single, and a John Barr sacrifice fly to make the score 3-0.
Mahoning Valley added two more runs off Dodson in the fourth after back-to-back walks and a one-out RBI single by Wolters. After another run for the Scrappers in the seventh, the Spikes scored their lone run in the ninth inning. Derek Trent led off the frame with a double, advanced to third on a balk, and scored on Walker Gourley's RBI groundout.
State College was also dealt a setback in the first inning when starting second baseman Ashley Ponce was struck in the face by a sharp groundball. Ponce left the game under his own power in favor of Gourley.
Trent, Alex Fuselier, and Chris Lashmet all had multiple hits for the Spikes, who fell to the Scrappers at Eastwood Field for the fourth time in as many games this season.
Dodson took the loss after allowing five runs, but only two earned, on four hits, two walks and three hit batters. It was the left-hander's second start of his rehab assignment from Single-A West Virginia. Josh Poytress added three innings of one-run relief, yielding two hits and a walk while striking out one.
Scrappers reliever Harold Guerrero (2-1) picked up the win with four shutout innings backing up starter Will Roberts. Guerrero yielded a hit and two walks, adding four strikeouts. Roberts scattered five hits and a walk while striking out two. Cody Elliott also had three hits to pace the Mahoning Valley offensive effort.
Wednesday, the Spikes and Scrappers finish off their two-game series at Eastwood Field with a 7:05 p.m. matchup. State College will send right-hander Nick Kingham (1-2) to the mound fresh off of his first professional victory. Kingham threw five scoreless frames, allowing just four hits while striking out one, to earn the win over Staten Island on Friday in New York City. Mahoning Valley will go with left-hander Danny Jimenez (1-1) on the mound.
The Spikes next homestand at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park will open this Thursday, July 21 with the first of two games against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Cleveland Indians' affiliate), followed by a three-game set against the Brooklyn Cyclones (New York Mets' affiliate) from Saturday the 23rd through Monday the 25th.
The homestand is headlined by several throwback nights, including a 1971 Pirates-style Spikes Jersey-Off-the-Back Auction on the 22nd, a 70s-Style Spikes Cap Giveaway on the 23rd, and an appearance by former Penn State quarterback and current NFL running back Michael Robinson on the 24th. Plus, fans will receive a First Base Replica Giveaway presented by WJAC on Thursday the 21st, celebrate Christmas in July on the 25th, and watch as FIREWORKS light up the night skies on the 22nd and 24th.
Businesses, church groups, sports teams or any other group of 20 or more people can also take advantage of the "20 for $200 Special." The "20 for $200 Special" offers a Field Box ticket, hot dog and small soda to each member of the group for just $10 per person. Plus, when your group reserves this special package, the group can designate one person to throw out a pre-game ceremonial first pitch from the mound and the group will be announced on the video board during the game.
Half-Season Tickets are now also available for as low as $110 per seat. Fans can treat family, friends, clients, and employees to exclusive seats for all Spikes home games starting July 30. Half-Season Ticket holders will also receive all the same benefits and experiences of a Full Season Ticket holder for the remainder of the season.
Tickets for games in the upcoming homestand, as well as every Spikes regular season home game, 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 ticket by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
Catch all of the action on Wednesday via the Spikes Radio Network at 6:50 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live from Eastwood Field. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.
New York-Penn League Stories from July 19, 2011
- Cutters Survive Late Auburn Rally - Williamsport Crosscutters
- Muckdogs Best Jammers, 10-2 - Jamestown Jammers
- Tigers Fall 10-6 in See-Saw Battle - Norwich Sea Unicorns
- IronBirds Run Wild But Fall 12-5 - Aberdeen IronBirds
- 13 Lowell Hits And 4 Vermont Errors Lead To 10-4 Lake Monster Loss - Vermont Lake Monsters
- Miscues Cost Spikes in 6-1 Setback at the Hands of Scrappers - State College Spikes
- Early Runs, Strong Pitching Lift Scrappers to Victory Over Spikes - Mahoning Valley Scrappers
- IronBirds Receive Fourth-Rounder Simon - Aberdeen IronBirds
- State College Spikes Game Notes - July 19 at Mahoning Valley - State College Spikes
- Aberdeen IronBirds Game Notes - Aberdeen IronBirds
- Seventh Inning Charge Lifts Auburn Over Batavia - Auburn Doubledays
- Subway Restaurants And Vermont Lake Monsters To Send Lucky Fan To San Francisco - Vermont Lake Monsters
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.
Other Recent State College Spikes Stories
- State College Spikes Unveil 2025 Promotional Schedule
- State College Spikes to Host 2nd Annual Happy Valley Hardball Classic on Saturday, April 5
- SpikesFest 2025, PSU-USC Game, Fireworks Set for Saturday, April 12 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park
- Tim Battle Jr., Lastings Milledge, Jared Brown Return to Spikes in 2025
- Spikes to Take Flight as E-L-G-S-E-S on Saturday, August 23

