NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Hang Tough, Top ValleyCats,7-5

Published on July 6, 2016 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


TROY, NY -Tommy Edman homered to give the State College Spikes the lead going to the bottom of the ninth, but the Spikes persevered after losing that advantage and defeated the Tri-City ValleyCats, 7-5, in 11 innings on Wednesday night at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.

The Spikes improved to 14-6 with the win, one game better than Lowell, Staten Island and Connecticut for the best record in the New York-Penn League.

Edman's first home run as a professional, a towering three-run shot to left field off Tri-City (9-11) reliever Sebastian Kessay unofficially measured at 381 feet, came in the seventh inning to put State College ahead, 4-1.

However, Tri-City (9-11) scored a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning on a double by Ryne Birk and a Brauly Mejia groundout to draw within a run. Birk, who collected four hits on the night, then drove a solo homer to right field to tie the game in the ninth and produce the second straight extra-inning game between the two teams.

After a scoreless 10th, though, the Spikes would come alive in the 11th. Four base hits, including run-scoring singles from Anthony Ray, Jose Martinez and Dylan Tice, enabled State College to take a lead it would not relinquish.

Despite a solo homer from Chuckie Robinson in the bottom of the 11th, the Spikes would hang on for the victory.

Eric Carter (1-0) struck out five batters over the 10th and 11th to earn the win. Carter yielded a walk in addition to Robinson's long ball in his first professional victory.

The Spikes took the initial lead of the game in the fourth on Vince Jackson's RBI groundout, with Tri-City matching the run thanks to Birk's sacrifice fly in the fifth.

ValleyCats reliever Carlos Sierra (0-1) took the loss after being tagged for two of the Spikes' 11th-inning runs. Sierra yielded one hit and two walks over three total innings, striking out one batter in the process.

State College starter Bryan Dobzanski went seven innings on the hill for his fourth quality start in as many outings this season. Dobzanski allowed three runs, one of them earned, on six hits, a walk and a hit batsman. The right-hander also struck out five batters in throwing 88 pitches, 60 of them for strikes.

The Spikes now head home to enjoy an off day on the NYPL schedule Thursday before welcoming the Auburn Doubledays (Washington Nationals) to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for the first game of a three-game set Friday at 7:05 p.m. Left-hander John Kilichowski (0-0) will get the ball for State College in his second pro start, while Auburn will go with right-hander A.J. Bogucki (0-0).

The fun on Friday also includes a large proportion of contortions from Daniel Browning Smith, also known as " Rubber Boy," who holds seven Guinness World Records, including "Fastest Time Getting Into A Locked Straitjacket," "Most Contortionists In A Box," and "Most Flexible Man." Fans can catch his near-superhuman flexibility throughout the game.

Friday also marks the return of the 4 for $44 Friday Northwest Family Value Ticket Package. Fans can purchase four Diamond Club or Field Box seats, four hot dogs and four small sodas for just $44, with additional packages available for $11 each.

Plus, pay tribute to one of our local communities on Clearfield County Night, featuring a FREE Kids Zone!, and kids can run the bases after the game thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.

Fans can enjoy even more fun throughout the rest of the weekend, including the Honorary Bench Coach Josiah Viera Bobblehead Giveaway, presented by Northwest, on Saturday, July 9,and Military Appreciation Night, presented by Lion Country Kia, featuring a Game-Used Hat Auction to benefit PSU for Local Wounded Warriors and a Mitch Harris Poster Giveaway, on Sunday, July 10.

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



New York-Penn League Stories from July 6, 2016


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.

OurSports Central