NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Power Past ValleyCats for 7-2 Win in Matinee

Published on July 13, 2015 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - The State College Spikes produced 13 hits, including four by Leobaldo Pina, and propelled themselves to a 7-2 victory over the Tri-City ValleyCats on Monday afternoon at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Pina, who also knocked in two runs, became the third Spikes (11-12) player with a four-hit game this season, following Ronnierd Garcia and Mike Pritchard. The shortstop also beat out a pair of infield singles as part of his performance.

Pritchard also sparked the State College offense with three stolen bases on the day, including two in the first inning, and added an RBI single in the second.

The Spikes scored in each of the first four innings to take a 6-1 lead, with Pina driving in two runs and Thomas Spitz bringing in another with a second-inning triple.

Brian O'Keefe brought the last State College run with a painful RBI as he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the sixth.

State College also received a strong pitching effort, beginning with Carson Cross. The-right-handed allowed one unearned run on three hits while recording one strikeout over four innings of work.

Pedro Echemendia (2-1) followed Cross and earned the win after retiring all six batters he faced, including one via strikeout, over the fifth and sixth innings. Brennan Leitao also recorded a scoreless inning of work, leaving the bases loaded, before Jacob Evans finished the game. Evans allowed the first run of his professional career, but struck out two batters over the final two innings.

Tri-City starter Harold Arauz (0-2) took the loss after giving up five runs on eight hits and two walks over 2 2/3 innings.

Dexture McCall's RBI single in the first and Alexander Melendez's run-scoring double in the eighth produced the ValleyCats' only runs.

Tuesday, the Spikes enjoy an off day on the schedule before heading to Monongalia County Ballpark in Granville, WV to start a three-game series against the West Virginia Black Bears on Wednesday. State College will send left-hander Ian McKinney (2-2) to the mound for the 7:05 p.m. matchup against an as yet unnamed starter for West Virginia.

The Spikes return home on Saturday, July 18 to start a three-game homestand with a 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Batavia Muckdogs. The first 1,000 fans of all ages will receive a Rowan Wick Home Run King Poster presented by Penn State Hershey Medical Group when gates open to the public at 6:00 p.m.

Plus, the Spikes will welcome Corey Feldman, the star of a string of 1980's movie blockbusters, to meet and greet fans at Sunday's 6:05 p.m. game.

Tickets for the upcoming three-game homestand, as well as every game remaining on the Spikes' 10th Season home schedule, are currently on sale through the Spikes Box Office by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting in person. Fans can also buy and print single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action on Wednesday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Hershey Medical Group, at 6:50 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Monongalia County Ballpark. 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, 95.3 FM 3WZ, and on the 3WZ mobile apps, available on Google Play and the App Store.

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New York-Penn League Stories from July 13, 2015


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