NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Need Ten To Win Their Ninth

Published on July 4, 2007 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


UNIVERSITY PARK -- The State College Spikes rallied from an early 4-0 deficit to beat the Williamsport Crosscutters 7-6 in ten innings on Wednesday afternoon. In the bottom of the tenth, the Spikes took advantage of nine straight balls reliever Matt German (0-1) to push their winning streak to nine in a row and take sole possession of first place in the Pinckney Division for the first time in franchise history.

Early on, it looked like the Crosscutters were going to run away with the victory as they scored a pair of runs in the first and third to take a 4-0 lead. But the Spikes offense picked up steam in the bottom of the third, when Michael Ambrose started the inning with a well-struck double to right-center field. Austin McClune followed with a single to put runners on the corners for Matt Cavagnaro. The former Penn State star advanced both runners with an RBI groundout to trim the ‘Cutters lead to 4-1. Justin Byler kept the rally going with a single that plated McClune, and later scored himself on Erik Huber's single to bring the Spikes within 4-3.

Williamsport tacked on a run in the fourth to make it 5-3, but in the bottom of the frame State College would draw even. Once again it was Ambrose who started the uprising, this time with a solo-blast to left field as the Spikes inched closer. McClune followed with a triple to right field and came around to score on Cavagnaro's second RBI groundout of the game to knot the game at 5-5.

Williamsport broke the tie in the sixth on D'Arby Myers RBI single to take a 6-5 lead. Myers finished the game going 5-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI for Williamsport. Myers is now 9-for-9 in two games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

The Spikes kept the see-saw scoring going when they answered with a run in their half of the sixth. Once more, it was McClune at the heart of the rally with an RBI single that scored Marcus Davis, to once again draw even at 6-6.

In the seventh, the Spikes bullpen took over for starter Nicolas Suero, and wouldn't allow the run over the final four innings of the game. Taylor Cameron and winning pitcher Adam Simon (1-0) combined to allow only one hit and walk, while striking out two, setting the stage for the Spikes late inning heroics.

In the tenth Huber started some two-out trouble with an infield single, and after a pair of four-pitch walks to pinch-hitter Miles Durham and Davis loaded the bases, German uncorked his ninth straight pitch out of the strike zone, this one hitting Michael Ambrose on the forearm, allowing the winning run to score.

The Spikes look to continue their torrid and historic streak tomorrow night at Williamsport in the second game of the home-and-home series against the Crosscutters. RHP Moises Robles (1-2, 3.38) will make the start for the Spikes, looking for his second win of the season. Robles will battle RHP Drew Naylor (3-0, 0.41). Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. The game will be carried on WZWW-FM, 95.3 and the Spikes Radio Network affiliates.

State College will return home for the third and final game of the series on Friday. The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive a Spikes equipment bag. Great seats are still available and can be obtained by calling 877-99-SPIKES, by stopping by the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park box office, or by purchasing online at StateCollegeSpikes.com.

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New York-Penn League Stories from July 4, 2007


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