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NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Drop 14-Inning Heartbreaker to Black Bears, 4-3

August 16, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - After scoring the apparent game-winning run in the bottom of the 13th inning, but having it taken off the board on an appeal play, the State College Spikes fell to the West Virginia Black Bears, 4-3, in 14 innings on Sunday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Leobaldo Pina's triple had just tied the game at 3-3 in the 13th when Jose Godoy walked to put runners on first and third with two outs. Casey Grayson then lined a ball to center field and Pina crossed the plate.

However, as the Spikes' celebrations were heading back to the dugout, the Black Bears tracked down the umpires and appealed that Godoy had not touched second base. The appeal was upheld, and since no run can score on an inning-ending force play, the game continued.

Christian Kelly then singled in the go-ahead run in the 14th inning for West Virginia (27-29), and although the Spikes (30-25) loaded the bases in the bottom half, a strikeout and double play ended the game for good.

State College had already rallied to extend the game in the ninth inning, as Orlando Olivera produced a two-run, bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth to knot the game at 2-2.

West Virginia had taken the lead in the top of the 13th on Mitchell Tolman's RBI single before the brouhaha in the bottom half.

The loss ended the Spikes' eight-game winning streak, but State College maintained a half-game lead over Lowell for the top spot in the NYPL Wild Card standings, as well as a 4 ½ game deficit behind Williamsport for the Pinckney Division lead.

Spikes reliever Kender Villegas (1-3) was charged with the loss after yielding two runs on five hits over two innings. Villegas struck out two batters on the night.

Starter Dailyn Martinez produced another quality outing for State College, allowing just two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out four over 6 2/3 innings. Tyler Bray and Luke Harrison then combined to scatter four hits over 5 1/3 innings of relief.

Black Bears reliever Luis Paula (4-2) got the win despite allowing a run on a hit and two walks over the 12th and 13th innings. Jerry Mulderig (1) got the save with a scoreless 14th in which he gave up a hit and a walk.

West Virginia starter Jonathan Brubaker was dominant over the first six innings, giving up just a hit and a walk while facing one batter over the minimum. Brubaker also recorded four strikeouts.

The game was tied for the second-longest by innings in State College Spikes history, matching the 14-inning game at Aberdeen on July 23 of this season and another on July 25, 2006 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park against Hudson Valley. The Spikes also fell in both of those games as well.

Five Spikes players now head to the New York-Penn League All-Star Game at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, MD on Tuesday. Infielders Casey Grayson and Leobaldo Pina, outfielder Mike Pritchard and pitchers Landon Beck and Juan Perez will represent State College on the South squad for the annual showcase of baseball's future stars.

After the All-Star break, the Spikes will regroup for a 7:05 p.m. matchup on Wednesday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park against the rival Williamsport Crosscutters. Left-hander Jacob Evans (2-1) is slated to go for State College, while left-hander Tyler Gilbert is scheduled to start his first appearance for Williamsport.

The game is the first of a two-game mini-series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, and matches the teams with the top two records in the NYPL Pinckney Division. It's also going to be a Half-Price Wednesday at the ballpark, presented by BIG Froggy 101. Fans can get into the park with half-price bleacher seats, then enjoy half-price 16 oz. select domestic draft beers from 6-8 p.m. and half-price medium sodas all game long.

Thursday, the Spikes take on Williamsport at 7:05 p.m. on $1 Beer Thursday, presented by 93.7 THE BUS, with $1 12-oz. domestic draft beers available from 6-8 p.m. Plus, it's Ladies Night, presented by Circulatory Centers and MAJIC 99, featuring the Confer's Jewelers Diamond Dash with a $1,000 Confer's Jewelers Gift Card for one lucky fans

Tickets for the games on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as each of the 10 dates 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 Wednesday 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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