Spikes Race Past Crosscutters for 7-4 Game One Win

June 20, 2019 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The State College Spikes overcame a 3-0 first-inning deficit by scoring seven straight runs and getting a strong bullpen outing from Michael Baird to defeat the Williamsport Crosscutters, 7-4, in the first game of a doubleheader at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Thursday night.

The victory allowed the Spikes to run their record to 5-1, which is their best start after six games in franchise history.

Baird (2-0) entered the game in the first with a full count on Williamsport's (2-4) Juan Smith and promptly struck him out for the last out of the frame. The right-hander then retired the next ten batters in order and yielded just a walk over four no-hit, no-run innings for the win. Baird also recorded six strikeouts in the effort.

Stanley Espinal helped power State College's offensive efforts with four RBI on two hits, a sacrifice fly and a walk. Espinal, who was fourth in the New York-Penn League in RBI in 2018 with 41, also made two diving catches in left field, including one for the final out of the game.

Matt Duce went 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI, while Andres Luna and Andrew Warner also produced multi-hit performances.

Pedro Pages, the St. Louis Cardinals' 2019 sixth-round draft choice out of Florida Atlantic, added to the Spikes' firepower by going 1-for-3 with two RBI in his professional debut.

Williamsport starter Rafael Carvajal (0-1) took the loss after giving up six runs on seven hits and a walk over 2 2/3 innings. Carvajal also struck out four batters.

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