NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes' Season Ends with 5-3 Win over Crosscutters

Published on September 7, 2015 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


WILLIAMSPORT, PA - The State College Spikes did their part to keep their playoff hopes alive on the final day of the regular season, defeating the Williamsport Crosscutters, 5-3, on Monday afternoon at Susquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field.

However, West Virginia's win over Mahoning Valley meant that the Black Bears clinched the New York-Penn League's Wild Card berth, denying the Spikes (41-35) the chance to defend their NYPL title.

Pedro Echemendia (12) locked down the win with a one-hit ninth inning to tie the Spikes' single-season record for saves. Echemendia matched the 12 saves posted by Ronald Uviedo in 2007 atop the club's list in that category. The native Cuban also became the first pitcher to lead the Spikes in both wins and saves as he collected six victories on the season.

Ronnierd Garcia's three-run homer in the sixth inning was the difference in the game. Garcia, whose first home run of the season came at Susquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field on June 20, smashed his second of the year over the left-center field wall.

The Spikes got on the board in the third thanks to Casey Grayson's RBI single, but Williamsport (46-30) received back-to-back run-scoring singles from Jesus Posso and Greg Brodzinski to take the lead in the fourth.

Garcia's long ball then put State College out in front, 4-2, but the Crosscutters retaliated with Brodzinski's sacrifice fly in the sixth to draw within a run. Jhohan Acevedo provided an insurance marker, though, singling in the ninth to bump the lead back to two.

Kender Villegas (2-3) got the win in relief with 2 1/3 innings of work. Villegas allowed one unearned run on one hit while striking out a batter during his time on the mound.

Williamsport starter Jose Tavares (7-4) took the loss after yielding four runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings. Tavares struck out eight batters in the effort, but received his first defeat against the Spikes after three straight wins over State College to begin the year.

The Spikes finished with their third straight 40-win season after not reaching that threshold in the club's first seven campaigns. In addition, the Spikes broke their single-game attendance record as 6,105 fans were on hand for the August 15 game at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The Spikes also welcomed two of the three largest crowds in franchise history during the 10th Season, with 5,921 fans flocking to the ballpark for Opening Night on June 19.

To find out more about season tickets, mini-plans, McDonald's Flex Books and a variety of different group packages and experiences for the 2016 season, call the Spikes at (814) 272-1711. Additional team and ticket information can also be viewed by visiting State College Spikes.com.

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New York-Penn League Stories from September 7, 2015


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