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NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes' Newcomers Make Mark, But \'Cutters Take Opener, 7-0

June 17, 2011 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


WILLIAMSPORT, PA - Newly minted State College Spikes Carlos Mesa and Sammy Gonzalez each rapped a pair of hits, but the Williamsport Crosscutters gave Spikes starter Nick Kingham a rude welcome to the New York-Penn League with a five-run third inning to take a 7-0 victory at Historic Bowman Field in the 2011 season opener on Friday night.

Mesa, who joined the Spikes (0-1) the night prior to the game, singled in the second and fifth innings. The right fielder signed with the Pirates this spring after defecting from Cuba.

Gonzalez notched the only extra-base hit of the game for State College, a double down the right field line in the fourth, and added a single in the sixth. Taylor Lewis also excelled for the Spikes in his first professional game, reaching base three times on two walks and a single.

Bob Stumpo and Maikol Franco each homered off of Kingham (0-1) in the third to snap a scoreless tie and give Williamsport (1-0) the lead. Stumpo led off the inning with a solo shot to right-center field, and Franco lifted a three-run blast to right field later in the inning. The Crosscutters added a run in the fourth when Stumpo scored on a dropped third strike, then plated their final run in the eighth on an RBI double by Kyrell Hudson.

Williamsport outhit State College, 13-6, for the game. The Spikes also left 11 runners on base.

Kingham took the loss in his third professional appearance. The right-hander allowed five runs on six hits and a walk while striking out one. Vince Payne, who returns from the 2010 Spikes, threw two scoreless innings and retired five straight batters in the sixth and seventh innings before allowing a pair of hits.

Leonel Bastidas (1-0) earned the Opening Night win for Williamsport with six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out three. Gabriel Arias (1) picked up the save by pitching the last three innings and allowing two hits while also striking out three.

The Spikes and Crosscutters will meet for the second game of their three-game series Saturday night at Historic Bowman Field. Right-hander Matt Benedict will make the start on the hill for State College in his professional debut. Benedict, the 30th round selection of the Pirates in this year's draft, led Western Carolina University in both strikeouts and innings pitched this past spring. Williamsport will send right-hander Mike Nesseth to the mound. The Phillies drafted Nesseth in the 17th round in 2010 out of the University of Nebraska. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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