NYPL State College Spikes

Sosa's Dash Drives Spikes to 3-1 Win Over Jammers

August 24, 2011 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - Junior Sosa ignited the State College Spikes' attack with the second inside-the-park home run in franchise history, giving Matt Benedict all the support he needed for his third win of the season as the Spikes downed the Jamestown Jammers, 3-1, on Wednesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Sosa joined Nathan Southard as the only Spikes (25-39) players with an inside-the-park round-tripper when he lined a 2-1 pitch to center field that went over the head of Jamestown's (31-33) Marquise Cooper to the wall. Southard delivered his inside-the-park home run against Williamsport on August 3, 2006 in much the same fashion, although his homer ended the game in the 11thinning.

The home run started a three-run frame for State College, with Wes Freemandriving in Ashley Ponce for the second run and Matt Skirving smashing his first career triple to left field to score Alex Dickerson.

That would be all the support Benedict (3-3) would need after giving up a run on Brian McConkey's RBI groundout in the first. The right-hander only allowed a hit and two hit batsmen from the second through the fifth innings, and produced his third straight outing of five innings or more with one or no runs against him. Benedict yielded a total of three hits on the night, and went without a strikeout one outing after setting a career-high in single-game whiffs.

Sosa added two stolen bases to his inside-the-park home run, while Dickerson reached base three times for the Spikes with a double and two walks.

Josh Poytress (1) earned the save with 1 2/3 scoreless innings to finish the contest. Poytress allowed two hits while striking out one batter. Jesus Brito also held the Jammers off the board over 2 1/3 innings, adding a strikeout.

Jamestown starter Dejai Oliver (1-4) took the loss after giving up the Spikes' three first-inning runs on a total of four hits and two walks. Oliver struck out five in the effort.

Thursday, the Spikes finish off their three-game series against the Jammers with a7:05 p.m. matchup at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. State College will send right-hander Ryan Hafner (2-4) to the mound. Hafner is 2-1 with a 1.29 ERA in four August starts. Jamestown will go with right-hander Helpi Reyes (0-5) on the hill.

Kids 12 and under eat for free at the ballpark thanks to Dairy Queen Grill and Chill on Kids Eat Free Thursday. All kids 12 and under will receive a coupon for a free hot dog, chips and soda, which they can use at specified concession stands. The College 3-2-1 Special, presented by BioLife Plasma Services, is also available once again on a Books and Baseball Night and a Centre County United Way Partner Agency Series night. Spikes fans can also aid in several world record attempts on Guinness World Record night at the ballpark.

Tickets for Thursday's game, as well as each of the seven home games remaining on the Spikes' 2011 home schedule, are currently on sale through the Spikes Box Office by calling (814) 272-1711or by visiting in person. Fans can also buy and print single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Fans also have the opportunity for free tickets to each of the remaining home games on the 2011 Spikes home slate by purchasing their 2012 Season Ticket packages now. Spikes Season Ticket packages come with membership into the exclusive Extra Innings Club, as well as provide a wide variety of additional benefits through a personal front office ticket representative. To purchase 2012 Season Tickets, contact a Spikes ticket representative at (814) 272-1711.

Catch all of the action on Thursday via the Spikes Radio Network at 6:35 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 August 24, 2011


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