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NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes' Early Burst Leads to 6-3 Win over Spinners

August 2, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - Jhohan Acevedo keyed a big first inning with a three-run double, and the State College Spikes surged to a 6-3 win over the Lowell Spinners on Sunday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Acevedo's bases-loaded, two-out line drive down the left-field line was the crowning shot in a four-run first for the Spikes (20-21). Casey Grayson had begun the scoring with an RBI groundout.

State College added another run in the second as Grayson brought in Mike Pritchard with a groundout to make it 5-0. Lowell (22-20) would mount a comeback attempt in the fourth, with a bases-loaded double by Kyri Washington scoring three runs and bringing the Spinners within two.

That would be the closest Lowell got, though, as the Spikes kept it that way until the seventh. Thomas Spitz walked and then advanced to second on a groundout and third on a flyout to right. After an intentional walk to Grayson, Orlando Olivera made the Spinners pay with a single to right to bring in Spitz and finalize the scoring.

Ian McKinney (4-2) earned the win for State College with five innings of work in which he yielded three runs on five hits and three walks. McKinney also recorded seven strikeouts as the Spikes staff put up a total of 35 strikeouts over the three-game series against Lowell.

Luke Harrison then tossed two scoreless innings before Pedro Echemendia (4) got the final six outs for the save. Echemendia escaped a bases-loaded, no out situation with a double play to preserve the Spikes' victory. The right-hander allowed a total of four hits and a walk while striking out one.

Spinners starter Javier Rodriguez (0-2) took the loss after yielding four runs on two hits and four walks. Rodriguez lasted just two-thirds of an inning before leaving the game with an apparent injury after 33 pitches.

Mike Pritchard was the lone Spike with multiple hits, and scored a pair of runs.

Victor Acosta went 3-for-5 with two doubles for Lowell.

The Spikes also wore special Pink Camouflage Jerseys, which went up for bids as part of Paint the Park Pink Night, presented by Mount Nittany Health. The jersey auction and the chance for fans to literally paint the park pink raised a total of $5,205 for the Breast Care Center at Mount Nittany Medical Center through The Foundation for Mount Nittany Medical Center. The Spikes and Mount Nittany Health have now partnered to raise over $65,000 through the annual Paint the Park Pink events over the club's ten seasons.

State College now hits the road to start a six-game road trip with a 7:05 p.m. matchup at Dwyer Stadium against the Batavia Muckdogs (Miami Marlins) on Monday. The Spikes will send right-hander Jorge Rodriguez (2-2) to the mound, while left-hander Gabriel Castellanos (1-3) gets the ball for the Muckdogs.

After a swing through Batavia and West Virginia, 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 Monday 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 Dwyer 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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