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NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Drop 2-1 Decision to IronBirds on Wednesday Night

July 22, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


ABERDEEN, MD - Jorge Rodriguez stretched his streak of scoreless innings on the road to 16 frames, but the State College Spikes yielded a pair of late runs to take a 2-1 loss at the hands of the Aberdeen IronBirds on Wednesday night at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium.

Rodriguez, who had won his last two road outings, gave up just one hit and two walks during his tenure on the mound while striking out three batters. However, the 79 pitches he threw over his five innings hastened the end of his start.

The Spikes (15-16) moved ahead in the second inning when Josh Swirchak singled and came in to score on R.J. Dennard's double down the right-field line. However, despite threatening on several other occasions, State College could not extend its lead.

Aberdeen (16-15) was held hitless until Mike Odenwaelder's leadoff single in the fifth, but came alive in the seventh with three straight singles off State College reliever Jacob Evans (0-1), the last by Steve Laurino, to tie the game. Two batters later, Drew Turbin's groundout plated the eventual game-winning run.

Down to their last out in the ninth, the Spikes got a walk from Thomas Spitz and a single from Craig Aikin that moved Spitz to third base. However, Andrew Elliott (1) struck out Leobaldo Pina to end the game.

Aikin was the lone Spike with multiple hits in the game, producing a double as part of a 3-for-5 performance. Mike Pritchard also contributed a double for State College.

Evans took the loss after yielding both IronBirds runs. It was the first outing of the left-hander's professional career in which he allowed multiple runs, and the first time he gave up three straight hits with the Spikes. Evans struck out two batters and walked one in a total of two innings on the mound.

Aberdeen reliever Patrick Baker (1-0) picked up the win with two scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh. Baker allowed one hit and two walks while striking out three. Elliott allowed a total of one hit and two walks, but struck out two batters for the six-out save.

The Spikes are now 2-10 all-time in road games at Aberdeen.

State College will finish off its three game-series against the IronBirds on Thursday night with a 7:05 p.m. matchup at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium. The Spikes will send right-hander Dailyn Martinez (2-2) to the mound to face Aberdeen right-hander Jean Cosme (1-3).

After a three-game series against Hudson Valley and an off day on Monday, the Spikes will return home on Tuesday, July 28 to begin a six-game string at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Vermont and Lowell will be the opposition during the stretch.

Highlights of the homestand include Dollar Beer Thursday, presented by 93.7 THE BUS, Ed Randall's Fans for the Cure Prostate Cancer Awareness Night, FIREWORKS presented by Vision Creative Solutions and ESPN Radio 1450, Bark in the Park Night presented by Metzger Animal Hospital, and the annual Paint the Park Pink Night presented by Mount Nittany Health.

Tickets for each game of the homestand from July 28 to August 2, 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 Thursday 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 Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium. 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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