NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Make an Impact in New York-Penn League All-Star Game

Published on August 18, 2009 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA--A crowd of 5,401 enthusiastic fans saw the future stars of baseball shine in the New York-Penn League All-Star Game at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Tuesday night as the American League All-Stars defeated the National League All-Stars, featuring the host State College Spikes, 4-2.

The crowd, which set the mark for the eighth largest attendance in the history of Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, saw the festivities begin at 3 p.m., when the American League and National League All-Stars signed autographs on the concourse. After a thunderstorm wiped out most of batting practice for both teams, the skies cleared in time for the Celebrity Home Run Derby, won by the National League squad featuring the Spikes' Brock Holt over the American League team lead by the Staten Island Yankees' Neil Medchill.

Celebrities who took their cracks at the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park included 12-year major leaguer and 2008 Spikes hitting coach Sid Bream, former Pittsburgh Pirate and current Pirates broadcaster John Wehner, Penn State head baseball coach and former Houston Astro Robbie Wine, former Penn State kicker and Super Bowl champion Chris Bahr, former Penn State quarterback and current Penn State assistant coach of wide receivers Mike McQueary, former Penn State defensive lineman and linebacker Justin Kurpeikis, and 1973 American League rookie of the year and AL honorary manager Al Bumbry.

Following the opening activities, the action of the All-Star Game on the field began, and the three State College Spikes selected to the National League team all had an impact on the game.

Right-handed pitcher Phillip Irwin started the Spikes' parade when he came on in the second inning, and took just eight pitches to retire three straight American Leaguers and preserve a scoreless tie.

Zach Foster (1-0) was the next State College pitcher to make an appearance, but took the loss after allowing three runs on three hits in the seventh inning, including a two-run homer by MiLB.com Top Star of the Game Jimmy Paredes of Staten Island.

Spikes infielder Brock Holt was the final State College player to take part in the game, and aided a National League comeback with a leadoff walk in the ninth inning. Holt would then score a run to draw the NL within 4-2, but the Senior Circuit representatives would get no closer in the contest.

Aberdeen left-hander Jake Smith (1-0) earned the win for the American League with a scoreless, one-hit sixth inning.

Auburn's Welinton Ramirez and Tri-City's J.D. Martinez also homered for the American and National Leagues, respectively.

After the All-Star break, the Spikes start a three-game set with the Brooklyn Cyclones on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. State College will send right-hander Ricardo Paulino to the mound to face Brooklyn left-hander Darin Gorski.

It will be a Half-Price Wednesday at the park, with half-price Outfield Bleacher tickets available, in addition to half-price hot dogs, hamburgers and sodas throughout the evening. Half-price 16-ounce draft beers can also be purchased from 6-8 p.m. The first 1,000 kids ages 14 and under will also receive a Spikes School Binder, and the College Student 3-2-1 Special begins. College students showing proper ID will get $3 off their tickets, and can get $2 sodas and $1 hot dogs as well. Plus, it's a Centre County United Way Partner Agency Series Night.

For ticket information, visit the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Box Office, call the Spikes toll-free at (877) 99-SPIKES, or log on to StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Fans can catch all of the action on the Spikes Radio Network and flagship station 3WZ at 95.3 FM starting at 6:35 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live 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 95.3-3WZ.

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics

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New York-Penn League Stories from August 18, 2009


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