Spikes Paint the Park Pink, But Fall to Black Bears, 5-2
July 28, 2019 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Martin Figueroa smashed his second home run in as many at bats to propel the State College Spikes early, but the West Virginia Black Bears took a 5-2 decision on Sunday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park as the Spikes partnered with Mount Nittany Health to present Paint the Park Pink Night.
The Spikes (22-21) and their fans raised funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, with a Pink Plaid Jersey Auction where fans could bid on the jerseys worn by the team during Sunday night's game and the club's 50/50 drawing both benefiting the Mount Nittany Health Foundation, with funds directed to the Mount Nittany Health Breast Care Center.
In game action, Figueroa followed his first home run of the season in his last at-bat of Saturday night's game with a two-run homer to right-center field in his first at-bat of Sunday's game. The State College second baseman's homer in the second tied the game at 2-2.
However, West Virginia (22-19), which had taken the lead on Matt Gorski's two-run homer in the first, his second of the year, added two more runs in the third to reclaim the advantage for good. Jared Triolo tripled in one run, and then scored on Blake Sabol's sacrifice fly.
The Black Bears finalized the scoring when Kyle Wilkie singled in a run in the fifth.
State College's David Vinsky recorded the lone multi-hit game for either team as the Spikes out-hit the Black Bears, 5-4.
Adrian Mardueno (2-2) started for State College and took the loss after allowing four runs on two hits and five walks over 2 1/3 innings.
Two additional 2019 draftees shone in relief for the Spikes. 11th-rounder Connor Lunn retired all five batters he faced in his first appearance for the Spikes since July 3. Seventh-round pick Jack Ralston tossed two shutout innings to finish the game, giving him 14 2/3 innings without being charged with a run to begin his professional career.
West Virginia reliever Xavier Concepcion (2-0) allowed just one walk over three scoreless innings to earn the win. Concepcion struck out five batters in the effort. Cameron Junker (2) allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three batters over two innings to pick up the save.
After an off day on the New York-Penn League schedule Monday, the Spikes start the second half of their six-game homestand at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park with a 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Vermont Lake Monsters (Oakland Athletics) to start a three-game series on Tuesday.
State College is set to send right-hander Junior Gonzalez (2-2) to the mound, while Vermont is scheduled to start right-hander Michael Murray (1-0).
Fans can enjoy $2 Walking Taco Tuesday at the ballpark, presented by B94.5. Walking Tacos will be available for just $2 each at various ballpark locations throughout the night.
Plus, fans of age can take part in the IC Light Mango Happy Hour, with IC Light Mango available at half-price from 6-8 p.m.
The homestand continues with Hex Your Ex Night on a Half-Craft Wednesday presented by 99.5 THE BUS, then concludes with Super Splash Day II with a noon start on a Thirsty Thursday, featuring a Special Edition Kids Run the Bases.
Tickets for each game of the upcoming series, as well as every game on the 2019 home schedule, are currently on sale through the Spikes Ticket Office. Tickets can be purchased by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting the Ticket Office in person from 9 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non-gamedays Monday through Friday.
Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
Catch all of the action on Tuesday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics, at 6:35 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air 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 the club's flagship radio home, NEWSRADIO 1390 WRSC, as well as the TuneIn Radio app.
New York-Penn League Stories from July 28, 2019
- Doubledays Drop Game 2 Late against Scrappers - Auburn Doubledays
- Spikes Paint the Park Pink, But Fall to Black Bears, 5-2 - State College Spikes
- State College Steals the Series - West Virginia Black Bears
- Tigers No-Hit the ValleyCats in Final Game of the Series - Norwich Sea Unicorns
- Gavin's Ga-Reat Night Gives BKLYN Sweep - Brooklyn Cyclones
- Batavia Rallies to End Cutters Win Streak - Williamsport Crosscutters
- Brooklyn Sweeps Vermont With 9-1 Win - Vermont Lake Monsters
- Spinners Unable to Hold Lead vs. Yankees - Lowell Spinners
- Staten Island's Stellar Pitching Leads Them to Victory against Lowell - Staten Island Yankees
- Stopped Short by Shortstop - Hudson Valley Renegades
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.
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