NYPL State College Spikes

Pina Leads Spikes to 5-3 Comeback Win over Renegades

Published on July 26, 2015 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY - Leobaldo Pina tied a State College Spikes record with three doubles as part of a four-hit, four-RBI game as he led the Spikes back from a 3-0 first-inning deficit to defeat the Hudson Valley Renegades, 5-3, on Sunday evening at Dutchess Stadium.

Pina delivered the game-winning runs in the ninth inning with a wall-ball double to left-center field that drove in Thomas Spitz and Mike Pritchard. The State College shortstop became the second Spikes (18-17) player this season, and sixth player in the club's history, to produce three doubles in a game, following Cole Lankford's effort on July 18 at home against Batavia.

Hudson Valley (18-17) took advantage of three hits, an error, and three wild pitches, including two on third strikes, to score a trio of runs in the first. However, Pina edged the Spikes back within a run with his second double of the game, a high-bouncing ball down the third base line that gave him his first two runs batted in on the contest.

State College then tied the game in the fifth when Craig Aikin led off the inning with a base hit, moved to second on an error, then scored on an errant throw resulting from Pritchard's bunt single.

Ian McKinney started on the mound for the Spikes and battled back from the tough first inning to set down six straight batters. McKinney allowed a total of three runs on six hits while striking out five.

Jacob Evans (1-1) then took over and tossed three scoreless frames to earn his first professional win. Evans yielded three hits while striking out one batter.

Pedro Echemendia (3) retired the last three batters in order, the last via strikeout, in the ninth to earn the save.

Pritchard finished the game with three hits for State College, while Riley Drongesen notched a pair of singles.

Renegades reliever Diego Castillo (1-2) took the loss after allowing both of the Spikes' runs in the ninth. Castillo also gave up three hits and a walk while striking out one in his only inning of work.

Nic Wilson collected three hits for Hudson Valley.

The victory clinched the first three-game sweep of the 2015 season for the Spikes, who went 3-3 on the six-game road trip to Aberdeen and Hudson Valley.

After an off day on Monday, the Spikes will return home on Tuesday, July 28 for 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Vermont Lake Monsters (Oakland Athletics) to start a six-game homestand at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. State College will send right-hander Jorge Rodriguez (2-2), who holds a string of 11 straight scoreless innings, to the mound to oppose Vermont right-hander Kyle Friedrichs (0-1).

The opener features a 10th Season T-Shirt Tuesday giveaway, presented by McClure Mechanical Services, to the first 500 fans of all ages when gates open at 6 p.m. The giveaway is part of the T-Shirt Tuesday series, presented by The B94.5.

Vermont and the Lowell Spinners (Boston Red Sox) will be the opposition for the stretch at home that lasts through Sunday, August 2.

Other highlights of the homestand include Dollar Beer Thursday, presented by 93.7 THE BUS, Ed Randall's Fans for the Cure Prostate Cancer Awareness Night, a pair of fantastic FIREWORKS shows, Bark in the Park Night presented by Metzger Animal Hospital, and the annual Paint the Park Pink Night presented by Mount Nittany Health.

Tickets for each game of the homestand from July 28 to August 2, as well as every date 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.

Catch all of the action on Tuesday 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 July 26, 2015


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