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NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Get Strong Start from Benedict, But Fall to Tigers, 4-1

August 12, 2011 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - The State College Spikes received a dominant start on the mound from Matt Benedict for the first five innings, but the Connecticut Tigers used a pair of two-run innings to nudge past the Spikes and take a 4-1 decision on Friday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

The Spikes (22-33) took the initial lead of the game in the first inning. Junior Sosa laid down a bunt for a base hit with one out, and after Alex Dickerson walked to move Sosa to second base, both runners moved up a bag on a wild pitch. New York-Penn League All-Star Samuel Gonzalez then drove in Sosa on an RBI groundout to make it 1-0, State College in front of the 5,036 fans on hand for the game.

Benedict made the lead hold up through his five frames on the mound, allowing just three hits and a walk while hitting one batter and striking out five. The strikeout total was a new career best for the Pirates' 30th-round choice in the 2011 draft. Benedict also did not allow a runner to advance past first base.

Connecticut (24-28) was able to do its damage after Benedict left the mound, though, with a leadoff double by Tyler Collins, an error, and a walk leading to Dean Green's RBI single off of Spikes reliever Josh Poytress (4-3) that tied the game in the sixth inning. Jason King followed with a sacrifice fly one batter later to enable the Tigers to take a 2-1 lead.

Two more Connecticut runs scored in the eighth inning, starting with Green's second RBI single that finished a string of three straight hits to start the frame. Cliff Archibald's subsequent wild pitch in the same inning enabled the final run to cross the plate.

Dan Gamache, Chris Lashmet and Dickerson all doubled for State College, with Gamache notching his first extra-base hit as a Spike.

Poytress took the loss for the Spikes, yielding all four Tigers runs on six hits and a walk while striking out one over 2 1/3 innings.

Matt Crouse (3-1) started and earned the win for Connecticut after allowing the Spikes' lone run on a total of four hits and two walks. Crouse also struck out four batters in his third consecutive victory. Melvin Mercedes (1) pitched a perfect ninth inning for the save.

Saturday, the Spikes and Tigers meet for the second game of their three-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park with a scheduled 7:05 p.m. first pitch. State College will send right-hander Ryan Hafner (2-3) to the hill. Hafner has won each of his last two starts, and holds a 1.06 ERA over 17 innings in his last four starts. Connecticut will go with right-hander Tommy Collier (1-1) on the mound.

The Spikes and their fans will also Paint the Park Pink on Saturday and join in the fight to eradicate breast cancer. Mount Nittany Health System and the Centre Daily Times present the night's activities as the Spikes take the field in special pink jerseys, which will be up for bids in the Jersey-off-the-Back Auction throughout the game. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Breast Care Center at Mount Nittany Medical Center through the Foundation for Mount Nittany Medical Center, and

each jersey winner will be presented with their jersey on the field immediately after the game. Plus, the first 500 women through the gates will receive a Spikes Pink Headband.

It's also Scratch 'n' Win Saturday, presented by Auntie Anne's, and Kids Run the Bases after the game thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.

Groups can also take advantage of the Spikes' new "20 for $200 Special" by contacting a Spikes ticket specialist at

(814) 272-1711.

Tickets for Saturday's game, as well as every Spikes regular season home game, 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 at 6:35 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live from the concourse at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics



New York-Penn League Stories from August 12, 2011


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