NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Fall to Crosscutters, 4-1, in Season Opener

June 17, 2016 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


WILLIAMSPORT, PA - Dailyn Martinez struck out seven batters over 5 2/3 innings for the State College Spikes, but a big third inning sent the Williamsport Crosscutters on to a 4-1 win at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field on Friday night.

Williamsport (1-0) plated three runs to open the scoring in the third. The Crosscutters took advantage of three hits, two bunts and a pair of State College (0-1) errors, to take a lead they would not relinquish.

After Juan Luis opened the inning with a bunt single, an error on Jesus Alastre's sacrifice bunt set up Jose Antquera's RBI single for the game's first run. Another Spikes error plated Alastre, with Arquimedes Gamboa then knocking in Antequera to finish the flurry.

The Crosscutters added another run in the sixth on an RBI single from Alastre.

Martinez (0-1) finished just one strikeout shy of his Spikes single-game high, but allowed four runs, two of them earned, on nine hits to get hung with the loss. The righty threw 93 pitches, 60 of them for strikes, in the effort.

State College did not go down without a fight. Ricardo Bautista's two-out double was followed by a two-base hit from Bladimil Franco to allow the Spikes to avoid the shutout. Four of State College's five hits in the game were doubles, including extra-base hit from Ryan McCarvel and Danny Hudzina.

Williamsport starter Adonis Medina earned the win on the mound by tossing six shutout innings. Medina yielded three hits and two walks while striking out one.

Spikes relievers Gerwuins Velazco and Greg Tomchick also saw action on the mound for the Spikes, combining to retire seven of the last eight Williamsport batters.

Saturday, the Spikes and Crosscutters shift to State College to open up the 2016 season at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. First pitch of Opening Night at the ballpark, presented by PSECU and Newsradio 1390 WRSC, is set for 7:05 p.m.

Right-hander Carson Cross gets the ball for State College's home opener. Cross went 3-2 for a 2.70 ERA in 10 appearances, nine of them starts, with the Spikes last year.

The Crosscutters will send left-hander Ranger Suarez to the hill. Suarez posted a 0.65 ERA over six appearances totaling 27 2/3 innings for the Gulf Coast League Phillies in 2015.

Gates open to the general public on Saturday at 6:00 p.m., and the first 2,500 fans of all ages will also receive a Spikes Schedule Magnet Giveaway, presented by PSECU. After the game, the skies over Happy Valley will light up as PSECU presents the first of 12 fantastic FIREWORKS shows this season.

The Spikes will also bring the fever pitch of the PIAA Baseball Championships back to the ballpark as they honor the Class AAA state champion Bellefonte Area High School baseball team. The Red Raiders, who downed Susquehanna Township, 2-0, at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Friday, will return to the site of their championship win the very next night. Bellefonte players will throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the season, with their fathers and other people of impact in their lives serving as the catchers in honor of Father's Day weekend.

Plus, Opening Night will be a Scratch n' Win Saturday, presented by P.J. Harrigan's, with every fan going home a winner as each fan receives a scratch-off card with a great prize or discount on it. The night concludes with the opportunity for all kids 12 and under to run the bases thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.

Saturday's home opener will also be carried live on WHVL-TV, the first of three live TV broadcasts of Spikes home games this season. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m., with Steve Jones joining Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com on the call. Check WHVL.com to find what channel WHVL is located at on your local cable system in Central PA.

The fun doesn't stop there, as Opening Night begins a four-game homestand at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Sunday, the Spikes take on the Hudson Valley Renegades (Tampa Bay Rays) at 6:05 p.m. Fans can bring Dad to the ballpark and have the chance to make it the best Father's Day ever with the Ultimate Father/Child Prize Package Giveaway, presented by First National Bank, as one lucky dad/kid pairing will win the grand prize. Plus, fans can also enjoy FIREWORKS after the game, presented by First National Bank.

Lion Country Kia will also give fans the chance to be a big winner at each Sunday home game this season, as one "LuCKy" fan will get the chance to win free gas for a year by tossing a ball into the sunroof of a KIA car from 100 feet away in the Lion Country Kia Sunroof Toss.

Tickets for all four home games from June 18-21, as well as every game on the Spikes' 2016 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 Saturday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Health, 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, Newsradio 1390 WRSC, as well as the TuneIn Radio app.

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New York-Penn League Stories from June 17, 2016


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