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NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Bounce Back to Top Black Bears, 7-6, in 10 Innings

August 6, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


GRANVILLE, WV - The State College Spikes went to extra innings after leading by as many as four runs, but regrouped as Thomas Spitz doubled in the go-ahead run in the tenth to give the Spikes a 7-6 victory over the West Virginia Black Bears on Thursday night at Monongalia County Ballpark.

Spitz's two-out two-base hit down the third base line knocked in Jhohan Acevedo with the go-ahead run in the top of the inning, but it was not until Pedro Echemendia struck out New York-Penn League RBI leader Logan Hill with the potential winning run on base in the bottom of the tenth that the Spikes (22-23) salted away the victory.

State College built a 6-2 going into the seventh, keyed by Orlando Olivera's team-leading third home run of the season. The two-run shot to left field followed Olivera's RBI single in the first that put the Spikes on the board.

Casey Grayson's run-scoring double then began a three-run State College fifth, and was followed by Cole Lankford's RBI single two batters later, with a subsequent error adding a sixth Spikes run.

However, West Virginia (23-23) plated two runs in the seventh on a Mitchell Tolman groundout and a wild pitch. In the ninth inning, the Black Bears tied the game as Hill singled in a run before Maximo Rivera made it 6-6 with his single off the leg of pitcher Kevin Alexander (1-1).

Alexander ended up as the winning pitcher, though, with two innings of relief work. The right-hander allowed two runs on a total of three hits and a walk while striking out one. State College starter Landon Beck struck out eight batters over 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on nine hits in the process.

Echemendia yielded one hit and one walk while recording a pair of strikeouts in a scoreless tenth for the save.

West Virginia reliever Sean Keselica (0-2) took the loss after allowing the Spikes' eventual game-winning run on two hits and a walk in his only inning of work.

Olivera ended the game with three hits for the Spikes, while Cole Lankford, Mike Pritchard and Josh Swirchak all produced two hits to aid the State College cause.

Kevin Newman and Casey Hughston each put together three-hit performances for the Black Bears.

The Spikes and Black Bears meet again on Friday night for the second game of their three-game series at Monongalia County Ballpark. The 7:05 p.m. matchup will feature right-hander Carson Cross (1-1) on the mound for State College to face West Virginia right-hander Dario Agrazal (4-3).

After finishing the road swing, the Spikes return home on Sunday, August 9 to start a three-game homestand with a 6:05 p.m. game against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Cleveland Indians). Fans can help honor one of the finest running backs in pro football history with a Jerome Bettis Gold Jacket Bobblehead Giveaway, presented by The Nittany Lion Inn & The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel and ESPN Radio 1450 to the first 1,000 fans.

Plus, the Spikes will wear special Jerome Bettis Gold Jacket Jerseys that will match what "The Bus" will be wearing as he enters pro football's most hallowed club in Canton. The jerseys will then be up for bids in a Jersey-off-the-Back Auction, presented by PSECU to benefit Children's Miracle Network. After the game, PSECU also presents a fantastic FIREWORKS show.

Tickets for all three games from August 9-11, 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 6:50 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Monongalia County Ballpark. 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 August 6, 2015


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