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Spikes' Gonzalez Earns NYPL All-Star Game Top Star Award As NL Tops AL, 7-3

August 16, 2011 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


LOWELL, MA - Samuel Gonzalez of the State College Spikes earned the MiLB.com Top Star Award in the 2011 New York-Penn League All-Star Game as both he and the Spikes' Wes Freeman played a pivotal role in carrying the National League All-Stars past the American League All-Stars, 7-3, at Edward LeLacheur Park in Lowell on Tuesday night.

After a scoreless first inning, Freeman led off the second for the National League squad with a base hit to right-center field off of Connecticut's Brennan Smith, which turned into a two-base hit thanks to his aggressive baserunning. The NL's starting left fielder then moved to third on a single by Tri-City's Matt Duffy and came home on a base hit by Auburn's Matt Skole to give the Senior Circuit affiliates a 1-0 lead.

Gonzalez then added to the damage, sending a ball sailing to the warning track in right-center field for a double that scored two more NL runs. The starting catcher then went to third on a groundout and scored himself on a sacrifice fly from Justin Gominsky of Tri-City to make it 4-0, National League.

The American League All-Stars struck back with two runs of in the third inning on a triple by Vermont's Chih-Fang Pan and an RBI groundout from Staten Island's Mason Williams. Williams had also made a diving catch in right-center field on Gominsky's sacrificie fly.

In the sixth inning, the AL put up another run on a single by Dean Green of Connecticut that scored Hudson Valley's Jeff Malm to make it a 4-3 game. However, the National League produced three more runs in the ninth inning, including two on a double by Daneil Muno of Brooklyn and another on a single by Auburn's Hendry Jimenez, to salt away the victory.

Gonzalez was presented with the Top Star Award by New York-Penn League president Ben Hayes after his 1-for-2 night, which included his two-run double. Freeman, a late addition to the National League roster, ended the night 1-for-3 with his double and run scored. Spikes outfielder Carlos Mesa was also named to the NYPL All-Star Game, but was unable to play due to injury.

Tri-City left-hander Kyle Hallock started and earned the victory, retiring all three batters he faced in the first inning before the Spikes-led, second-inning charge.

Smith took the loss for the American League after yielding all four NL runs on four hits in the second inning.

Mahoning Valley third baseman Jordan Smith was the only player in the game with multiple hits, going 2-for-2 as the AL's starter at the hot corner.

Gonzalez and Freeman will rejoin their teammates at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, NY Wednesday for a 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Hudson Valley Renegades (Tampa Bay Rays). Wednesday's game will start a six-game road trip for the Spikes, who will play three games against the Renegades before facing the Auburn Doubledays (Washington Nationals).

The Spikes return home on Tuesday, August 23 to start a six-game homestand with a 7:05 matchup against the Jamestown Jammers (Florida Marlins). Fans can put a headlock on value with the Spikes' second annual Wrestling Rumble Night, paying tribute to the greatest feats of the squared circle throughout the evening. Plus, Buck Bleacher Night gives fans the chance to lock up an Outfield Bleacher seat for just $1, thanks to the Centre Daily Times. It's also the first night of the College 3-2-1 Special, presented by BioLife Plasma Services, with $3 off any seat in the ballpark, $2 off a medium soda, and $1 hot dogs available to any college student showing the proper ID.

Tickets for Tuesday's game, as well as each of the eight home games remaining on the Spikes' 2011 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 Wednesday via the Spikes Radio Network at 6:50 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live from Dutchess Stadium. 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 August 16, 2011


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