NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes mount rally, fall short to Scrappers 7-6

Published on June 22, 2009 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


NILES, OH - The State College Spikes made another furious comeback attempt, but fell to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 7-6, in the opening game of a three-game series on Monday night at Eastwood Field.

Down 7-0 after six innings, State College (1-3) was able to start a rally with four runs in the seventh. Kyle Saukko's single was the only hit, as three walks and a throwing error contributed to the Spikes' outburst. The Scrappers committed a total of five errors to aid the Spikes' comeback try.

In the eighth inning, State College scored two more runs on a Saukko sacrifice fly and an RBI double by Miguel Mendez. Mendez, however, was thrown out at third trying for a triple for the inning's final out.

Mahoning Valley (4-0) staked itself to the lead by touching up Spikes starter Kyle McPherson (0-1) for three runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Scrappers extended their lead to 4-0 when Bo Greenwell, son of former Boston Red Sox All-Star Mike Greenwell, singled home Lurvin Besabe, who had tripled.

The Scrappers added another three runs in the fifth inning, including a solo home run to right field by Stephen Head, to bring their lead to seven before the Spikes' rally.

McPherson made his first start for State College after beginning the year at Single-A West Virginia. The right-hander went 4 2/3 innings and allowed six runs, four of them earned, on ten hits. McPherson struck out six hitters, a season high for a Spikes pitcher.

Guido Fonseca (1-0) allowed four runs, two of them earned, in three innings, but picked up the win for Mahoning Valley. Fonseca also allowed three hits and three walks while striking out one. Brian Grening (2) pitched a perfect ninth inning to record the save.

The Spikes and Scrappers meet Tuesday for the second game of a three-game set at Eastwood Field. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. State College will send southpaw Michael Felix (0-0) to the mound for his first New York-Penn League start of 2009, while Mahoning Valley will start right-hander Marty Popham (0-0), making his first start of the year.

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