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NYPL State College Spikes

Singer Plates Winner In Ninth As Spikes Top Spinners, 3-2

July 30, 2011 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - Kirk Singer scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch in the ninth inning as the State College Spikes took full advantage of the Lowell Spinners' miscues and a strong pitching effort to earn a 3-2 victory on Saturday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Singer, who went 2-for-3 at the plate on the evening, started the bottom of the ninth with a walk, then went to second base on a wild pitch by Lowell (19-23) reliever Hunter Cervenka (0-5). After Wes Freeman sacrificed Singer to third base, the State College (13-29) second baseman scored when Cervenka uncorked his second wild pitch of the game.

The Spinners took the first lead of the game in the third inning, when Jayson Hernandez led off with a double and came home on Jose Garcia's triple. Keury De La Cruz then brought Garcia in with a single to make it 2-0, Lowell.

Those two runs would be the only setbacks for Spikes starter Zack Dodson, though, as he struck out a career-high eight batters and matched his longest-ever outing as a professional by going six innings. Dodson yielded six hits and a walk on the evening, but did not factor in the decision.

State College got Dodson off the hook in the fifth inning. Ashley Ponce led off the frame with a walk, and after an infield single by Justin Bencsko, Kirk Singer bunted for a base hit. Lowell third baseman Matt Gedman threw wide of the bag trying to retire Singer on the play, which allowed both Ponce and Bencsko to score and tied the game, 2-2.

Freeman, who was the Spikes' leadoff hitter for the first time in 2011, added a pair of hits for the Spikes to go with his ninth-inning sacrifice bunt.

Josh Poytress (2-2) walked the first batter he faced in the seventh inning, but ended his night by retiring nine straight batters to earn the win. Poytress struck out three batters in the effort.

Cervenka took the loss after allowing the winning run on a total of three hits and three walks. The Spinners right-hander also threw three wild pitches over his 3 1/3 innings.

Sunday, the Spikes and Spinners meet at 6:05 p.m. for the second game of their three-game set at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. State College will have right-hander Nick Kingham (1-2) on the mound for his ninth start of the season. Kingham has gone five innings in each of his last three starts, and holds a 1.20 ERA over that span. Lowell will start right-hander Tyler Wilson (2-2) on the mound.

The Spikes will send the month of July out with a bang as a spectacular post-game FIREWORKS display is sure to dazzle the crowd and light up the skies over Happy Valley, presented by T&B Medical. It's also Mifflin & Juniata County Night, presented by The Sentinel, as the Spikes pay homage to two of the finest counties in Pennsylvania. In addition, fans can enjoy a Pre-Game Catch on the Field and Post-Game Kids Run the Bases presented by Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc. on ‘90s Night at the ballpark.

Groups can also take advantage of the Spikes' new "20 for $200 Special," while Half-Season Tickets are now also available for as low as $114 per seat. For more information on these special offers, contact a Spikes ticket specialist at (814) 272-1711.

Tickets for Sunday's game, 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 tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action on Sunday via the Spikes Radio Network at 5:35 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live from the concourse behind home plate at 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 July 30, 2011


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