
Spikes' Bats Held in Check in 7-2 Loss to Tigers
July 9, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release
STATE COLLEGE, PA - Casey Grayson extended his on-base streak to a New York-Penn League-leading 18 games with a second-inning double, but that was one of just two State College Spikes hits as they fell to the Connecticut Tigers, 7-2, on Thursday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Grayson's two-base hit to left-center field also set up the first Spikes (9-10) run. After a groundout moved him to third, the University of Houston product scored on Cole Lankford's RBI groundout to bring State College within one.
Lankford then drove in the other Spikes run in the ninth with a two-out double down the right-field line.
However, Connecticut (10-9) got a two-run homer from Christin Stewart, the Detroit Tigers' 2015 first-round draft choice, in the opening frame to take the lead. The Tigers then pulled away for the victory, adding two runs on a double by Corey Baptist in the sixth, another in the seventh on a Stewart sacrifice fly, and the last two runs on A.J. Simcox's single in the eighth.
Tanner Donnels also helped drive the Tigers' offense with a three-hit night that included a double. Simcox added a double as well in a multi-hit performance, while Brett Pirtle contributed a pair of singles to the Connecticut cause as the Tigers produced 13 hits on the evening.
State College starter Jorge Rodriguez (1-2) drew the loss, but yielded no more runs after the Stewart home run in the first. Rodriguez gave up a total of five hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings of work.
Right-hander Spenser Watkins (2-1) started and earned the win for Connecticut after allowing the Spikes' lone run and lone hit along with three walks. Watkins struck out four batters over his five innings on the mound.
The game was delayed one hour, 13 minutes at the outset by rainstorms that passed through Central PA.
The loss snapped the Spikes' three-game winning streak, and evened up the three-game set at one apiece.
State College will face Connecticut in the rubber match of the series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Dailyn Martinez (2-1), who has not allowed an earned run over his last 13 innings on the hill, will get the start for the Spikes. The Tigers will go with left-hander Matt Hall (0-0).
VisitMyrtleBeach.com presents all of the fun as one lucky fan 18 and up will win the chance to compete in the Myrtle Beach Relay for a vacation getaway to Myrtle Beach, SC, and the skies will light up after the game with a fantastic FIREWORKS show.
Plus, fans will be able to take advantage of the 4 for $44 Friday Northwest Family Value Ticket Package, featuring four of the best seats in the house, four hot dogs and four small sodas for just $44.
After the game, kids 12 and under can run the bases thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.
The Spikes' six-game homestand continues through Monday, with highlights including Military Appreciation Night with a Spikes Camouflage Hat Giveaway for the first 1,000 fans presented by Lion Country Kia on Saturday, July 11, the Spikes Youth Baseball Clinic and FIREWORKS presented by Penn State Hershey Medical Group to go with a Spikes Team Poster Giveaway presented by Fullington Bus Company and a Pre-Game Team Autograph Session on Sunday, July 12, and Super Splash Day on Monday, July 13.
Tickets for each game in the homestand, as well as every game 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.
New York-Penn League Stories from July 9, 2015
- Spikes' Bats Held in Check in 7-2 Loss to Tigers - State College Spikes
- Spenser Watkins and Hot Bats Lead Tigers - Norwich Sea Unicorns
- Brooklyn Wins Fifth Straight, Tops 'Gades 1-0 - Brooklyn Cyclones
- Renegades Drop a Rain-Shortened Contest to Brooklyn - Hudson Valley Renegades
- Spinners Mauled by Black Bears, 12-3 - Lowell Spinners
- Thursday Night's Game Postponed - Aberdeen IronBirds
- Crosscutters Game Postponed - Williamsport Crosscutters
- State College Spikes Game Notes - July 9 vs. Connecticut - State College Spikes
- Tonight's 7:05 PM Game against Batavia Postponed - Auburn Doubledays
- Vermont Rallies In 9th, But Falls 8-4 To Scrappers In Extras - Vermont Lake Monsters
- Scrappers Go Extras to Down Vermont - Mahoning Valley Scrappers
- Auburn Doubledays Game Notes - Auburn Doubledays
- Star Wars Night July 11th - Brooklyn Cyclones
- Offense Silenced in 4-1 Loss to Batavia - Auburn Doubledays
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
- Spikes, Black Bears Canceled Due to Inclement Weather on Wednesday
- Spikes Win MLB Draft League First Half Title with 8-3 Victory Over Crosscutters
- Spikes Stay in First Half Title Hunt, Top Crosscutters, 6-4
- Pengelly's Quality Start Helps Keep Spikes in Hunt with 4-2 Win over Keys
- Spikes Come Back Late But Fall to Keys, 8-5, Now Tied for First Place

