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NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Hang Tough to Sweep Scrappers with 7-5 Win

August 11, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - The State College Spikes let go of a four-run lead, but Orlando Olivera capped a four-RBI night with a two-out, two-run single in the seventh as the Spikes completed a three-game sweep of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers with a 7-5 victory on Tuesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

The Spikes' (26-24) have now run their winning streak to a season-long four games, and finished their first sweep of a three-game series this season. State College is now 5-0 against Mahoning Valley (22-27) during the 2015 schedule, with four meetings remaining between the two clubs.

In addition, the win improved the Spikes' positioning in the New York-Penn League Wild Card standings, elevating them into a tie for second in the race a half-game behind Lowell.

Olivera collected a total of three hits on the night, with an RBI single in the first and a run-scoring double in the third. The Missouri Baptist product is now hitting .359 with 16 runs batted in over 19 games with State College.

The Spikes took the lead early, countering a first-inning solo home run from the Scrappers' Ka'ai Tom with a pair of runs, the first scoring on Leobaldo Pina's triple.

State College then extended the advantage

However, Mahoning Valley answered with four runs in the fifth inning to tie the game. All four runs scored with two outs, starting with a bases-loaded single from Juan De La Cruz that fell in between four Spikes infielders. Connor Marabell then drew a run-scoring walk, and Daniel Salters finished the frame with a two-run single before the Spikes' response in the seventh.

State College starter Juan Perez, an NYPL All-Star, yielded five runs on five hits and four walks over 4 2/3 innings. Perez also recorded three strikeouts.

Kender Villegas (1-2) came in and threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just two hits and striking out three batters for the victory. Jery Then (1) then gave up only one hit and recorded one strikeout over the final two innings for the save.

Mahoning Valley reliever Jordan Carter (1-2) took the loss, allowing the go-ahead runs in the seventh inning and giving up a total of three hits and a walk over two innings of work.

Pina and Thomas Spitz each produced multi-hit games for the Spikes.

The Spikes now head to Coney Island to start a three-game series against their fellow NYPL Wild Card contender, the Brooklyn Cyclones (New York Mets), with a 7:05 p.m. matchup on Wednesday. State College will send right-hander Landon Beck (1-3), another NYPL All-Star selection, to the mound for the opener at MCU Park. Brooklyn is slated to go with right-hander Tyler Badamo (2-5) on the hill.

After the short jaunt to Brooklyn, the Spikes return home to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Saturday to start a big weekend series against the rival West Virginia Black Bears (Pittsburgh Pirates). Fans can catch the return of Cowboy Monkey Rodeo, presented by Penn State Federal Credit Union, at Saturday's 7:05 p.m. game against the Black Bears. Plus, the skies over Central PA will light up with a fantastic post-game FIREWORKS show, and one lucky fan will win the chance to play Lion Country Kia Plinko on the field for a brand new Kia and other great prizes.

Sunday, the skies over Happy Valley will light up like never before with the Pyro Musical FIREWORKS, presented by First National Bank, after the 6:05 p.m. matchup against West Virginia. It's also Star Wars Night at the ballpark, and the Spikes will celebrate the history and heritage of the seat of Centre County with Bellefonte Community Night, presented by Swartz Fire & Safety.

Tickets for both weekend home games, as well as every date remaining on the Spikes' 10th Season 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, presented by Penn State Hershey Medical Group, at 6:50 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from MCU Park. 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 August 11, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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