NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Rally Late, But Fall to Doubledays, 4-2, on the Fourth

July 4, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


AUBURN, NY - Casey Grayson extended his New York-Penn League-leading on-base streak to 15 games, and the State College Spikes came back to put the go-ahead run at the plate in the ninth, but the Auburn Doubledays held on to take a 4-2 decision on Saturday night at Falcon Park.

The loss was just the second in franchise history for the Spikes (6-9) on July 4, with the other coming to Auburn (7-8) in 2011 at Falcon Park.

Grayson started the scoring with a two-out RBI single in the first inning, and followed with another base hit in the eighth. The University of Houston product now has a batting average of .415 this season, the best in the NYPL.

The Spikes trailed, 4-1, going into the ninth inning, but battled back. Brian O'Keefe led the rally with a one-out double, and moved to third on Josh Swirchak's infield single. Thomas Spitz then drove in O'Keefe with a two-out single, his second hit of the game. However, Auburn closer Luis Torres (1) then recorded a strikeout for the final out of the contest.

O'Keefe also produced multiple hits for State College.

Starter Luis Perez (2-1) took his first loss of the year after yielding three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three over 5 2/3 innings. Kender Villegas then finished out the game with 2 1/3 innings on the mound in which he allowed a run on two hits. Villegas also notched three strikeouts.

Auburn's Erick Fedde (1-0) got the win in his third professional start. Fedde, the 18th overall pick of the 2014 MLB Draft who missed all of last season due to undergoing Tommy John surgery, allowed one run on three hits while striking out six over a career-long five innings.

Torres gave up a total of three hits in his only inning of work for the save.

Sunday, the Spikes and Doubledays meet at 5:05 p.m. for the second game of their three-game set at Falcon Park. State College will send right-hander Landon Beck (0-1) to the mound to face Auburn right-hander Joan Baez (0-1).

After the series against the Doubledays concludes on Monday, the Spikes will have an off day on Tuesday before starting a six-game homestand from July 8-13. Connecticut and Tri-City will be the opponents during the stretch, with highlights including a pair of FIREWORKS shows, a Myrtle Beach Trip Giveaway for one lucky fan on July 10 presented by VisitMyrtleBeach.com, Military Appreciation Night with a Spikes Camouflage Hat Giveaway for the first 1,000 fans presented by Lion Country Kia on July 11, a Spikes Team Poster Giveaway presented by Fullington Bus Company to go with a Pre-Game Team Autograph Session on July 12, and Super Splash Day on July 13.

Tickets for each game in the homestand, as well as every game 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 Sunday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Hershey Medical Group, at 4:50 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Falcon 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, 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 4, 2015


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