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NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Rally in Ninth, But Fall to Tigers, 6-4, on Paint the Park

August 13, 2011 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - Dan Gamache notched two runs batted in and Wes Freeman went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases, but the State College Spikes' ninth-inning rally fell just short in a 6-4 defeat at the hands of the Connecticut Tigers on Paint the Park Pink night Saturday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

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The Spikes took the field in special pink jerseys for the game on Paint the Park Pink Night, presented by the Mount Nittany Health System and the Centre Daily Times. The uniforms were then placed up for bids in a Jersey-Off-the-Back Auction to benefit the Breast Care Center at Mount Nittany Medical Center. The auction raised a total of $4,500, which was donated to the Foundation for Mount Nittany Medical Center to go towards the Breast Care Center.

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Gamache, the Pirates' 2011 sixth-round draft pick out of Auburn, knocked in Freeman with a sacrifice fly to plate the first State College (22-34) run in the first inning. Connecticut (25-28) would retaliate in the second inning on Eugenio Suarez's solo home run over the left field wall to tie the game, 1-1.

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The Tigers then took the lead in the fourth when Jason King notched an RBI single, and surged to a 5-1 advantage with three sixth-inning runs off of State College reliever Joan Montero, with King's run-scoring triple the biggest blow.

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In the bottom of the sixth inning, though, the Spikes clawed back with a run of their own when Gamache brought in Freeman for the second time with a single to center field. Connecticut would score one more run in the seventh inning, but State College surged forward in the ninth inning, with a walk and an error putting two runners on base with no outs. Matt Skirving and Derek Trent then provided consecutive RBI groundouts to bring the Spikes within two runs, but could not produce anything further.

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State College starter Ryan Hafner (2-4) took the loss after allowing the Tigers' first two runs on five hits while striking out one. Hafner had earned the win in each of his last two starts. Stetson Allie, the Pirates' 2010 second-round draft choice, also appeared in the game for the Spikes, allowing a run on three walks in the seventh inning.

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Tommy Collier (2-1) started and earned the win for Connecticut, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four over 5 2/3 innings.

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King went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in before leaving the game with an apparent left leg injury after a collision with Allie at first base to end the top of the seventh inning. Allie did not appear to suffer any ill effects after the play.

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Sunday, the Spikes and Tigers complete their three-game series, and the Spikes' six-game homestand, with a 6:05 p.m. matchup. State College will have left-hander Mike Jefferson (2-1) on the mound. Jefferson has not allowed a run in his last three starts, covering a total of 13 innings, and began the homestand on Monday with a career-long five-inning outing for the win. Connecticut will go with right-hander Luis Sanz (5-3), who is second in the New-York Penn League in strikeouts with 57, on the hill.

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Fans can enjoy a spectacular FIREWORKS show that will light up the skies over Happy Valley after the game, presented by CNB Bank and WCPA 900 AM. Blast off with the Spikes on Clearfield County Night, with a Pre-Game Catch on the Field and Post-Game Kids Run the Bases thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc. Plus, fans can register kids 14 and under for the Spikes' Youth Soccer Clinic. The clinic will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with registration at 10:30 a.m. and free with a ticket to Sunday's game.

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Groups can also take advantage of the Spikes' new "20 for $200 Special" by contacting a Spikes ticket specialist at (814) 272-1711.

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Tickets for Sunday's game, as well as every Spikes regular season home game, 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.

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Catch all of the action on Sunday via the Spikes Radio Network at 5:35 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live from the concourse at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.

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New York-Penn League Stories from August 13, 2011


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