NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Hang on to Beat Yankees, 4-3, for Third Straight Win

Published on June 28, 2015 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATEN ISLAND, NY - The State College Spikes produced a four-run fourth inning, and clutch pitching made the lead hold up as the Spikes defeated the Staten Island Yankees, 4-3, on Sunday afternoon at Richmond County Bank Ballpark to run their winning streak to three games.

The Spikes (4-5) were stifled early as Staten Island (5-5) starter Yoel Espinal (1-1) retired the first nine batters he faced. However, State College broke through against Espinal in the fourth. Thomas Spitz led off with a walk and stole second base before Leobaldo Pina was hit by a pitch. Spitz then moved to third on a walk to Casey Grayson. Ronnierd Garcia then singled in a run, and Pina scored on the throw to make it 2-0, Spikes.

Jesse Jenner then singled in another run, and Craig Aikin finished off the frame with a bases-loaded walk.

Juan Perez (2-0) delivered a strong outing on the mound, allowing just one run on three hits and four walks while striking out two in the win. Drew Bridges produced the only run against Perez with a solo home run to right field in the fourth.

The Yankees made the seventh inning hairy for the Spikes by drawing four walks and a hit to close to within a run. However, Pedro Echemendia (1) came into a bases-loaded, one-out situation and force a popout and a flyout to end the threat.

In the ninth, Echemendia came to the rescue again after an error put the tying run on base to open the inning. The Cuban right-hander forced a groundout, and after an intentional walk put runners on first and third, Echemendia recorded a strikeout. Ronnierd Garcia then provided help for the last out, barehanding a slow roller and beating Jake Hernandez by a step with a laser to Grayson stretching at first.

Echemendia struck out three batters total over 2 2/3 scoreless innings for the save.

Garcia was also the only Spike with multiple hits, and Mike Pritchard contributed a double for State College.

Espinal took the loss for the Yankees after yielding four runs over 3 2/3 innings on two hits, three walks and a hit batsman. The right-hander struck out four in the effort.

Bridges's home run in the fourth snapped the Spikes' shutout streak at 24 innings, four shy of the franchsie record.

Monday, the Spikes continue their three-game series against the Yankees with a 7:00 p.m. matchup at Richmond County Bank Ballpark. State College will send right-hander Landon Beck (0-0) to the mound to face Staten Island right-hander Domingo Acevedo (0-0).

The trio of games against the Yankees through Tuesday will conclude State College's first extended road trip of the year. The Spikes will return home to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Wednesday to begin a three-game series against West Virginia with a trio of big nights on tap. Fans can bring their dogs to the ballpark for a night of four-legged fun on Thursday, July 2 at the first Bark in the Park Night of the year, presented by Metzger Animal Hospital, Happy 103 and the Centre Daily Times. That night also marks the first $1 Beer Thursday of the year, presented by 93.7 THE BUS.

Additional highlights of the series include Wednesday's Going Green Night and a preview of the Fourth with FIREWORKS following the game on Friday, July 3, presented by the PA Lottery.

Friday is also First Responders Appreciation Night, presented by the Centre Daily Times. The Spikes will celebrate the brave men and women in local police, fire and EMT departments who help keep us safe in our local communities.

Tickets for the three-game homestand, as well as every game on the Spikes' 2015 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 Monday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Hershey Medical Group, at 6:45 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Richmond County Bank Ballpark. 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, 95.3 FM 3WZ, and on the 3WZ mobile apps, available on Google Play and the App Store.

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New York-Penn League Stories from June 28, 2015


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