NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Drop 4-1 Decision to Black Bears on Friday

August 7, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


GRANVILLE, WV - Jesse Jenner collected a pair of hits and scored a run, but the State College Spikes were held to four hits as a team in a 4-1 loss to the West Virginia Black Bears on Friday night at Monongalia County Ballpark.

Jenner crossed the plate in the third inning after becoming the first State College (22-24) player to crack the hit column. The Spikes catcher then produced a leadoff single in the eighth inning to lead a brief flurry that led to State College loading the bases with two outs. However, the Spikes were unable to score in that frame.

Craig Aikin delivered the single that brought in Jenner in the third, while Ronnierd Garcia's eighth-inning single was the only other State College hit.

West Virginia starter Dario Agrazal (5-3) earned his second win of the season against the Spikes with seven strong innings on the mound. Agrazal gave up two hits and two hit batsman while striking out two batters on the night.

Carson Cross (1-2) took the loss as he started and went 5 1/3 innings on the mound. Cross struck out two batters, but yielded four runs on nine hits during his time on the mound.

Cesilio Pimentel (3) earned the save after allowing two hits and a walk while striking out three over two scoreless innings.

The Black Bears took the lead in the first when Mitchell Tolman doubled and scored on Ty Moore's single two batters later. West Virginia then broke the 1-1 tie in the fifth when Albert Baur led off with a single, went to second on a sacrifice bunt, and came in to score on Casey Hughston's single.

Logan Hill and Daniel Arribas each produced RBI singles for the Black Bears in the sixth to complete the scoring.

Tolman produced three hits on the night, including two doubles.

Spikes right fielder Orlando Olivera left the game in the seventh inning after being hit in the head with a Agrazal pitch.

The Spikes and Black Bears finish up their three-game series at Monongalia County Ballpark with a 7:05 p.m. matchup on Saturday. State College will send left-hander Jacob Evans (1-1) to the mound for his first professional start after ten relief appearances. West Virginia will counter with right-hander Juan Paula (3-2).

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.

Spikes fans can also catch live coverage of Sunday's game against the Scrappers on WHVL-TV beginning at 6 p.m., with Steve Jones joining Brian Tripp on the call. Check WHVL.com to find what channel WHVL is located at on your local cable system in Central PA.

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics



New York-Penn League Stories from August 7, 2015


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