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NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes' Early Lead Evaporates in 9-4 Loss to Crosscutters

August 20, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - The State College Spikes jumped out in front early on, but the Williamsport Crosscutters' bats came alive to carry them to a 9-4 win over the Spikes on Thursday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

State College (31-26) dropped back to 4 ½ games behind Williamsport (36-22) in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division standings, but maintained a lead of 1 ½ games over Lowell in the NYPL Wild Card race despite the loss.

The Spikes struck in the third inning to break open a scoreless game, as Cole Lankford doubled and moved to third on Craig Aikin's sacrifice bunt before scoring on Mike Pritchard's fielder's choice. Leobaldo Pina then doubled in Pritchard to make it 2-0, State College.

Williamsport's Jan Hernandez then hit a two-run homer to left in the fifth, his 10th of the season, to tie the game in the fifth and stop the Spikes' 13-inning scoreless string.

Aikin manufactured another go-ahead run for State College in the fifth as he was hit by a pitch, stole second, moved to third on an error and came home on Jhohan Acevedo's sacrifice fly.

After that, it was all Crosscutters, as Williamsport scored three runs in the sixth on RBI singles from Brendon Hayden and Venn Biter along with a Hernandez fielder's choice. Hernandez then plated another run in the eighth, his fourth RBI on the night, with a sacrifice fly.

Williamsport capped its evening with three more runs in the ninth, including RBI doubles from William Cuicas and Josh Tobias. Despite Lankford driving in a ninth-inning run for the Spikes with his second double in the ninth inning, State College would get no closer.

Spikes starter Jorge Rodriguez (4-3) took the loss, yielding five runs on eight hits and a walk over 5 1/3 innings. Rodriguez also struck out one batter in the effort.

Jose Taveras (6-2) started for the Crosscutters and got the win after giving up three runs, two of them earned, over 6 2/3 innings. Taveras allowed four hits and a walk while recording seven strikeouts on the evening.

The Spikes now hit the road to begin a six-game stretch away from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Friday night. State College will take on the Batavia Muckdogs in a 7:05 p.m. matchup at Dwyer Stadium to start a three-game series. Right-hander Dailyn Martinez (3-3) will get the ball for the Spikes, while the Muckdogs are set to send left-hander Scott Squier (4-1) to the mound.

After three games in Batavia, and three more against the Crosscutters at Suquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field, the Spikes return home on Thursday, August 27 for a three-game series against Auburn. Highlights include the return of $1 Beer Thursday, presented by 93.7 THE BUS, the 4 for $44 Friday Northwest Family Value Ticket Package, and the Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 29 with a Spikes School Kit Giveaway for the first 1,000 kids.

In addition, college students across Central PA can enjoy even more value on Thursday with the College 3-2-1 Special. The College 3-2-1 Special offers any college student presenting a valid student ID at ticket and concessions windows the following special offers:

- $3 Outfield Bleacher seats or $3 off seat in any other ballpark section, excluding Pepsi Picnic Pavilion and suites

- $2 medium sodas all game

- $1 hot dogs all game

Tickets for the three games from August 27-29, as well as each of the eight 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 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 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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New York-Penn League Stories from August 20, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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