NYPL State College Spikes

Pritchard Nets Four Hits, But Spikes Take 7-1 Loss to Black Bears

July 2, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - Mike Pritchard became the second State College Spikes player with four hits in one game this season, but a big fourth inning proved the difference as the Spikes took a 7-1 defeat at the hands of the West Virginia Black Bears on Thursday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Pritchard followed Ronnierd Garcia, who produced four hits on June 20 at Williamsport, in the club of Spikes (5-8) with a quartet of knocks in 2015. All four hits were singles, including a bunt single in the third inning that keyed State College's first run.

Casey Grayson brought in Pritchard in that frame to put the Spikes up, 1-0, but West Virginia (6-7) scored five runs in the fourth inning to take a lead it would not relinquish. All of those runs came with two outs, scoring on RBI singles from Daniel Arribas, Ulises Montilla and Mitchell Tolman, as well as a two-run double by Christian Kelley.

The runs came off State College starter Jorge Rodriguez (1-1), who yielded a total of five hits and five walks over 3 2/3 innings. Rodriguez also struck out two.

Josh Swirchak, one night after knocking in four runs for State College, went 2-for-4 at the plate on Thursday.

West Virginia reliever Andy Otamendi (1-0) got the win with 2 1/3 scoreless innings. Otamendi, who was facing the Spikes for the eighth time in his pro career, gave up two hits and struck out one. The left-hander also got the Black Bears out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the fifth with a strikeout and a double play ball.

Kelly collected three RBI in the game, while Arribas reached base four times on two hits and two walks for West Virginia.

The Spikes and Black Bears now meet at 7:05 p.m. on Friday to close out the three-game series. The rubber match will pit State College right-hander Dailyn Martinez (1-1), who tossed seven scoreless innings against Mahoning Valley last time out, against West Virginia right-hander Jonathan Brubaker (0-2).

Friday night offers a preview of the Fourth as FIREWORKS light up the skies following the game, presented by the PA Lottery. Friday is also First Responders Appreciation Night, presented by the Centre Daily Times. The Spikes will celebrate the brave men and women in local police, fire and EMT departments who help keep us safe in our local communities.

Plus, fans will be able to take advantage of the 4 for $44 Friday Northwest Family Value Ticket Package, and the Spikes will wear special patriotic hats which will then go up for bids on Saturday, July 11 as part of a Game-Used Hat Auction presented by Lion Country Kia to benefit PSU for Local Wounded Warriors on Military Appreciation Night.

Tickets for Friday's game, as well as every game 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 Friday 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.

Spikes fans can also catch live coverage of Friday's game against the Black Bears on WHVL-TV beginning at 7 p.m., with Steve Jones joining Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com on the call. Check WHVL.com to find what channel WHVL is located at on your local cable system in Central PA.

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New York-Penn League Stories from July 2, 2015


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