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NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Hang on for 5-3 Win over Jammers to Tie for Division Lead

August 17, 2013 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


JAMESTOWN, PA - Home runs by Matthew Young, who turned 23 on Saturday, and Alex De Leon helped the State College Spikes take a four-run lead into the ninth, but the Spikes had to avert a desperation rally by the Jamestown Jammers to take a 5-3 victory on Saturday night at Russell Diethrick Park and tie the Jammers for the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division lead.

State College (33-23) also kept the NYPL Wild Card lead with the win, and swept both road games at Jamestown (33-23). The Spikes and Jammers are scheduled for six more meetings over the final eight games of the year, starting on Thursday, August 29 with a makeshift doubleheader that includes the completion of the June 25 suspended game between the two teams.

De Leon's solo homer to left field in the ninth inning, his third of the year, came off former Spike Kevin Kleis and gave the Spikes a 5-1 advantage going to the bottom of the last frame. However, the Jammers put the first three batters of the inning on base on two hits and a walk, forcing State College reliever Jeff Rauh from the game.

Andrew Pierce (2), who was scratched from his last scheduled start on August 5 due to injury, then made his return in a relief role for the Spikes and elicited a groundout fielder's choice from Elvis Escobar that scored a run. Justin Maffei then scored another run with a single to make it a two-run game, and Adam Frazier reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases.

However, Michael Fransoso's liner would go straight to shortstop Cesar Valera, who stepped on second base for a game-ending double play.

Young also hit his birthday homer to left field in the seventh for his first long ball as a Spike, after being inserted into the lineup in a late change prior to game time.

Starter Nick Petree (2-1) sparkled on the mound for State College, earning the win with six innings of one-run ball. Petree allowed six hits and hit a batter while striking out four. The Missouri State product has not allowed more than one earned run in any outing this year.

Pierce picked up the save, and was not charged with any of the Jammers' ninth-inning runs.

Isaac Sanchez (1-1) started for Jamestown and picked up the loss after giving up three runs on fourth hits, two walks and a hit batsman while striking out three over four innings of work.

Adam Frazier and Edwin Espinal each put together three-hit games for the Jammers. Frazier is now in second place in the NYPL batting race with a .338 average, 17 points behind the Spikes' Steven Ramos.

Sunday, the Spikes come home to start a two-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park against another Pinckney Division contender in the Batavia Muckdogs (Miami Marlins). Batavia is three games back of both State College and Jamestown in the division. The 6:05 p.m. game will see left-hander Jimmy Reed (1-1) on the mound for the Spikes, while the Muckdogs are slated to start right-hander Ryan Newell (4-2).

Fans will be sure to enjoy the antics of Team GhostRiders as the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo makes its return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, presented by NEWSRADIO 103. The tandems of monkeys and dogs will perform between-inning skits during the game, with the grand finale after the game.

Plus, the skies will light up after the game with a fantastic FIREWORKS display on a Family Fireworks Funday, presented by First National Bank.

In addition, the Spikes will hold the first "Battle of the Shields" Softball Game between local police and firefighters, and including EMT personnel from around the area, on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. Admission to the game is free with a ticket to Sunday's game, which will also be First Responders Night, as Centre Communications and the Centre Daily Times present the tribute to our local heroes.

It's also Clearfield County Night, presented by Penn State-DuBois and WCPA AM 900, with a Pre-Game Catch on the Field and Post-Game Kids Run the Bases, presented by Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.

Tickets for Sunday's game, as well all ten games remaining on the Spikes' 2013 home slate, 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.

Fans can also purchase Four-Game Playoff Packs in anticipation of potential Spikes' home games during the 2013 NYPL playoffs starting on Wednesday, August 21 at 9 a.m. Four-Game Playoff Packs start as low as just $16 per seat and include a $2 per game savings off the single-game price. In addition, each seat purchased as part of a Four-Game Playoff Pack will come with a free, limited-edition 2013 Spikes playoff t-shirt while supplies last.

Four-Game Playoff Packs will also be able to be purchased at the Spikes Box Office by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting in person. Fans can also reserve their Playoff Packs online at State College Spikes.com.

Catch all of the action on Sunday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, at 5:35 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 95.3 FM 3WZ.

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