NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes' Bats Awaken in 10-1 Victory over Lake Monsters

July 30, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - Casey Grayson led the State College Spikes' offensive onslaught with three hits and two runs batted in as the Spikes reached double-digit runs for the second time this season in a 10-1 win over the Vermont Lake Monsters on Thursday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

One night after being shut out on four hits, the Spikes (19-19) jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Grayson's single and an error each plated runs for State College in the first, with the Spikes adding two more on the board in the second on Craig Aikin's double and an RBI groundout for Thomas Spitz.

After Vermont (16-22) ended Juan Perez's 13-inning shutout streak with Trace Loehr's infield single to score a run in the second, the Spikes let loose for five runs in the fifth. Ten batters came to the plate for the Spikes, with Jhohan Acevedo's two-run triple and Leobaldo Pina's run-scoring double the big hits.

Orlando Olivera also knocked in a run for State College in the frame, which matched the largest single-inning output for the Spikes this season.

Grayson's RBI double in the sixth capped the scoring, and helped extend his on-base streak in games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to 20 games.

Perez overcame six walks and four hits to leave the bases loaded twice and strand a total of nine runners over his four innings on the mound. The State College starter also struck out four batters, but threw 85 pitches during his pitching tenure.

Pedro Echemendia (4-1) followed Perez and earned credit for the win with two perfect innings, striking out pair of batters.

Vermont starter Evan Manarino (2-1) took the loss after yielding four runs, three of them earned, on six hits over three innings of work. Manarino notched two strikeouts in the effort.

Four different Spikes produced multiple hits, including Acevedo, Pina and Olivera.

With the first half of a six-game homestand now complete, the Spikes next welcome the Lowell Spinners (Boston Red Sox) to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Friday in the opener of a three-game set. The 7:05 p.m. matchup will feature right-hander Landon Beck (1-3) on the mound for State College against Lowell right-hander Jose Almonte (2-2).

Fans will enjoy a jam-packed night at the ballpark with a fantastic post-game FIREWORKS show presented by Vision Creative Solutions and ESPN Radio 1450 leading the way. Plus, the 4 for $44 Friday Northwest Family Value Ticket Package features four of the best seats in the ballpark, four hot dogs and four small sodas available for just $11 per person thanks to Northwest and MAJIC 99.

The fun doesn't stop there as it's also Scout Night at the ballpark and Penns Valley Community Night, featuring a FREE Kids Zone! presented by Friends of Jake Corman. The Spikes salute the Penns Valley region as part of the Community Nights series presented by CATACOMMUTE.

Plus, it's Outdoors Night, as well as a National Penn Bank Books & Baseball Night and a State College Borough Water Authority Water Conservation Awareness Night.

Fans will also get ready for the later part of summer on Grange Fair Night, and kids can run the bases after the game thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.

The weekend continues on Saturday with Bark in the Park Night, presented by Metzger Animal Hospital, Happy 103 and the Centre Daily Times. In addition to all of the usual canine-related activities, dogs will also be able to run the bases after the game.

Sunday, it's one of the biggest nights on the Spikes promotional calendar with the annual Paint the Park Pink Night, presented by Mount Nittany Health, as the Spikes take on Lowell at 6:05 p.m. The first 1,000 fans of all ages through the gates when they open at 5:00 p.m. will receive a Pink Camouflage Replica Jersey courtesy of Mount Nittany Health. Fans can also enjoy FIREWORKS after Sunday night's game.

In addition, the Spikes will wear special Pink Camouflage Jerseys, which will then be up for bids during the game in a Jersey-off-the-Back Auction benefiting the Breast Care Center at Mount Nittany Medical Center through the The Foundation for Mount Nittany Medical Center, with the winners receiving them on the field shortly after the final out of the night is made.

For the first time ever, fans will also be able to literally Paint the Park Pink on Sunday. Selected ballpark areas will be available to paint, with six-inch blocks ready to receive a fresh coat with a $5 donation to The Foundation for Mount Nittany Medical Center to benefit breast cancer research.

Tickets for each of the three weekend home games, 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 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.

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New York-Penn League Stories from July 30, 2015


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