Sports stats

NYPL State College Spikes

Ray's Blast Propels Spikes to 4-3 Win over Scrappers

July 1, 2016 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - Anthony Ray's two-run homer to the right field bleachers in the fifth brought in what proved to be the winning runs, and the State College Spikes clinched their best start through 15 games in franchise history as they defeated the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 4-3, on Friday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

The win gave the Spikes an 11-4 start, one game better than the 10-5 beginnings to the 2007 and 2014 seasons. State College has now won nine of their last 10 games, and the Spikes now hold a two-game lead in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division.

Ray's homer off Mahoning Valley (3-12) reliever Dace Kime (0-1) was his first of the season, and gave State College a 4-1 lead. The Scrappers would get an RBI single from Michael Tinsley in the sixth to trim the deficit before a Luke Wakamatsu double and Todd Isaacs sacrifice fly cut the gap to one run. However, Mahoning Valley would get no further on the board.

Spikes starter Bryan Dobzanski (2-1) earned the win with six quality innings. Dobzanski, who tied a club record with eight innings on the mound in his last start on Sunday at West Virginia, allowed one run on six hits in a shorter outing on Friday. The right-hander struck out six batters and threw 95 pitches, 71 of them for strikes.

After Max Almonte kept the lead for the Spikes with two innings of relief, Eric Carter (1) closed out the game with a one-hit ninth, striking out two for his first professional save.

The Spikes were held without a hit for the first three innings, but broke through in the fourth when Ryan McCarvel doubled in a run with two outs. McCarvel, who hit for the cycle on Thursday night, produced his sixth RBI in the last two games.

Jeremy Martinez, who was the only Spike to deliver multiple hits in the game, then followed with another two-out double to finish the flurry.

Gabriel Mejia collected three hits for the Scrappers on the night.

Kime took the loss after yielding four runs on four hits and two walks over three innings of work. The 2013 third-round draft choice of the Indians struck out three in the effort.

The game was delayed 43 minutes at the outset after a weather system in the area threatened to bring rain, but dissipated without any precipitation.

Saturday, the Spikes look to keep their momentum going as they meet the Scrappers for a 7:05 p.m. matchup at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Left-hander John Kilichowski (0-0), the Cardinals' 11th-round draft choice in 2016 out of Vanderbilt, gets the ball for State College in his second professional appearance and first pro start. Mahoning Valley will go with right-hander Micah Miniard (0-1) on the hill.

The first 1,000 fans at the 7:05 p.m. game will receive a Cowboy Monkey Rodeo Poster Giveaway, presented by Boyles Insurance, in preparation for the return of the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo on July 16 and August 25 this year.

It's also a Scratch n' Win Saturday, presented by PJ Harrigan's, where every fan will be a winner as each fan receives a scratch-off card with a great Spikes prize or discount on it.

After the game, kids can run the bases thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.

The homestand then finishes with a bang on Sunday, July 3 as David "The Bullet" Smith, Jr. brings his record-breaking Human Cannonball act to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Best Line Powersports, home of the new Indian Motorcycle of State College, presents this one-of-a-kind event, with a post-game "Blast-Off" after the 6:05 p.m. contest. The night will also be capped off with the launch of a fantastic FIREWORKS show, presented by the PA Lottery, and one "LuCKy" fan will get the chance to win Free Gas for a Year in the Lion Country Kia Sunroof Toss.

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday, as well as every game remaining on the Spikes' 2016 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 download single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action on Saturday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Health, 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, Newsradio 1390 WRSC, as well as the TuneIn Radio app.

--

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics



New York-Penn League Stories from July 1, 2016


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



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central