NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Go Down to Defeat against Cyclones, 7-4, on Monday

Published on July 16, 2012 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - Tyler Gaffney doubled and Alex Fuselier delivered two hits and two RBI, but the State College Spikes were overpowered by a four-run fifth inning by the Brooklyn Cyclones in a 7-4 defeat on Monday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

State College (14-14) fell behind in the second inning after Brooklyn's (18-10) Dimas Ponce singled to bring in Stefan Sabol with the game's first run. However, the Spikes answered right back with a run in the third inning to tie the game. Gaffney drove a two-out, two-base hit down the left-field line and emergency catcher David Valesente knocked him in with a single.

In the fourth inning, the Cyclones regained the lead with an RBI double from Eudy Pina. State College would respond for the second time, though, plating three runs in the bottom half of the frame to take their only lead of the game. After Jacob Stallings walked, Chris Diaz reached on an error and Yhonathan Barrios's fielder choice scored Stallings to make it 2-2. With two outs, Fuselier then drove a single to right-center field to bring Barrios and Jared Lakind in and give the Spikes a 4-2 lead before being thrown out at second trying to extend the hit for the second time in the game.

Brooklyn would make its biggest surge in the fifth inning, though, rapping four hits and drawing a pair of walks to score a quartet of runs. Singles by Brandon Nimmo and Phillip Evans started the inning, with Ponce and Pena both adding run-scoring hits to complete the crooked-numbered frame. The Cyclones would add one more run in the ninth inning on a Spikes error to cap the scoring.

The Spikes also suffered a setback early when catcher Ryan Hornback left the game in the second inning after being struck in the lower midsection by a foul tip, bringing Valesente into the game for his first action behind the plate with State College.

Fuselier was the only Spike with multiple hits, while D.J. Crumlich contributed a double.

State College reliever Tom Harlan (2-4) took the loss after being tagged with all four of Brooklyn's fifth-inning runs. Harlan yielded a total of three hits and three walks while striking out one in a single inning of work. Starter Adrian Sampson, the Pirates' fifth-round draft choice in 2012, allowed two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out three over 3 2/3 innings.

Hansel Robles (2-1) started and earned the win for the Cyclones, giving up four runs, one of them earned, on five hits and three walks. Robles also struck out one batter over his 5 2/3 innings on the mound. John Mincone (3) picked up the save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Pena finished the game 3-for-5 with his double and two RBI, while Stefan Sabol and Jayce Boyd each added two hits and two runs scored.

With the loss, State College was swept by Brooklyn in the three-game set after taking three straight from Staten Island to start the homestand.

Tuesday, the Spikes travel to Eastwood Field in Niles, OH to start a two-game series with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Cleveland Indians) in a 7:05 p.m. matchup. Left-hander Joely Rodriguez (2-0), whose 2.25 ERA is third-best in the entire Pirates minor league system, goes for State College against Scrappers left-hander Ryan Merritt (2-2).

The Spikes will return home on Thursday to start a stretch of four home games in six nights with a 7:05 p.m. contest against the Williamsport Crosscutters (Philadelphia Phillies). The first 1,000 fans through the gates when they open at 5:45 for season ticket holders and 6 p.m. to the public will receive a "Dark Spike" Bobblehead Doll, presented by P.J. Harrigan's. Plus, it's Heroes Night, as the Spikes honor the real heroes of our community - the police, fire and emergency professionals who help keep us safe.

Kids 12 and under can also get a voucher for a free hot dog, chips and small soda as well as a one-time free-play pass to Ike's Kids Zone on Kids Eat N' Play Free Thursday, presented by Dairy Queen Grill & Chill. Fans can also bring old papers to Skills of Central PA's Pre-Game Recycling Event, and fans presenting their Nittany Bank credit or debit cards can get a $4 discount on any ticket in the ballpark excluding suites and picnics.

Tickets for Thurday's game, as well as every Spikes regular season home game in 2012, 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 Tuesday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, at 6:50 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live from Eastwood Field. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.

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New York-Penn League Stories from July 16, 2012


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