Sports stats

NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Keep Wild Card Lead But Fall to Crosscutters, 2-1

August 25, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


WILLIAMSPORT, PA - Casey Grayson's RBI double in the first inning was trumped by Jose Pujols's two-run homer as the Williamsport Crosscutters took a 2-1 decision over the State College Spikes on Tuesday night at Susquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field.

Despite the loss, the Spikes (33-29) maintained the top spot in the New York-Penn League Wild Card race, although the standings have tightened up. West Virginia now stands just a half-game back of State College, with Lowell now 1 ½ games back and Hudson Valley and Aberdeen each trailing by two games.

Grayson delivered two hits on the night, with his extra-base hit in the opening frame knocking in Jhohan Acevedo to give the Spikes the lead. The advantage was short-lived, however, as Mark Laird singled and Pujols followed with his third home run of the season two batters later to put the Crosscutters (41-22) out in front.

Acevedo and Orlando Olivera each provided multiple hits for State College as well, but the Spikes could not muster the key hit to score the tying run.

Starter Jacob Evans (3-2) took the loss for the Spikes despite allowing just two runs on a total of six hits and a walk over a career-long seven innings. Evans also struck out five batters on the night.

Williamsport left-hander Tyler Gilbert (4-3) allowed a run on four hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings of work for the win. Rob Tasin (15) allowed two hits, but picked up the save for the third consecutive night.

The game was delayed 20 minutes in the middle of the third inning after home plate umpire Brandon Mooney was forced to leave the game. Mooney had been struck in the jaw by a foul ball in the top of the third. Base umpire Josh Havens then shifted behind the plate and worked an inning-and-a-half as a one-man crew until a substitute umpire arrived.

The Spikes now finish off an unusual stretch of three straight games commuting to Susquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field with a 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Crosscutters on Wednesday. State College will send right-hander Jorge Rodriguez (4-3) and his 0.32 earned run average on the road to the mound. Williamsport will counter with right-hander Jose Taveras (6-2).

After the trio of games in Williamsport, the Spikes return home on Thursday, August 27 for a three-game series against Auburn. Highlights include the return of $1 Beer Thursday, presented by 93.7 THE BUS, the 4 for $44 Friday Northwest Family Value Ticket Package, and the Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 29 with a Spikes School Kit Giveaway for the first 1,000 kids.

In addition, college students across Central PA can enjoy even more value on Thursday with the College 3-2-1 Special. The College 3-2-1 Special offers any college student presenting a valid student ID at ticket and concessions windows the following special offers:

- $3 Outfield Bleacher seats or $3 off seat in any other ballpark section, excluding Pepsi Picnic Pavilion and suites

- $2 medium sodas all game

- $1 hot dogs all game

Tickets for the three games from August 27-29, as well as each of the eight dates 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.

Fans can also purchase Four-Game Playoff Packs in anticipation of potential Spikes home games during the New York-Penn League playoffs, which begin on Wednesday, September 9. Playoff Packs start as low as $16 per seat and include as much as a $4 per game savings off the single-game price. In addition, each seat purchased as part of a Playoff Pack will come with a free, limited-edition 2015 Spikes playoff T-shirt while supplies last. For more information, and to order a Playoff Pack, call the Spikes Box Office at (814) 272-1711.

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 Susquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field. 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.

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics



New York-Penn League Stories from August 25, 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.

Other Recent State College Spikes Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central