NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Shut out Tigers, 4-0, in Rain-Shortened Victory

Published on July 8, 2015 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - The State College Spikes were stifled early, but Ian McKinney held the fort on the mound, and the Spikes surged to the lead before the rain moved in and ended the game early in a 4-0 win over the Connecticut Tigers on Wednesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

The game was called in the middle of the seventh inning after the rain that started in the fourth made the field unsuitable for play, but the Spikes (9-9) had already taken the advantage. After being held hitless over the first three innings by Connecticut (9-9) starter Tyler Alexander, State College broke through in the fourth.

Jesse Jenner drew a one-out walk from reliever Gerson Moreno (0-2), then moved to third on Casey Grayson's single to right field. Jenner then slid home safely on a wild pitch to put the first run on the board.

The Spikes added three more runs in the fifth thanks to a Thomas Spitz double, a sacrifice fly by Mike Pritchard and the second of two Tigers errors to increase the lead to four runs.

McKinney (2-2) helped the Spikes hang on with six shutout innings, facing just one batter over the minimum during his first five frames. The left-hander yielded three hits and a walk while striking out four on the night. McKinney threw 82 pitches in the outing, 53 of them strikes.

Luke Harrison then followed with a perfect seventh inning, including two strikeouts, before the game was called.

Moreno took the loss after allowing all five State College runs, but just one earned, on two hits and two walks over 1 2/3 innings. The righty also struck out two batters.

Alexander gave up just a walk in his three innings on the hill for the Tigers, recording one strikeout and throwing only 27 pitches.

The win was the Spikes' third in a row, and puts them at .500 for the first time this year.

Thursday, the Spikes and Tigers meet at 7:05 p.m. for the middle game of their three-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. State College will send right-hander Jorge Rodriguez (1-1) to the mound, while Connecticut will go with right-hander Spenser Watkins (1-1).

Fans can enjoy a $1 Beer Thursday at the ballpark, presented by 93.7 THE BUS, with 12-oz. domestic draft beers available for just $1 each from 6-8 p.m. Plus, StressBusters Entertainment will play live music on the concourse.

The Spikes' six-game homestand continues through Monday, with highlights including a pair of FIREWORKS shows, a Myrtle Beach Trip Giveaway for one lucky fan on Friday, 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 Saturday, July 11, a Spikes Team Poster Giveaway presented by Fullington Bus Company to go with a Pre-Game Team Autograph Session on Sunday, July 12, and Super Splash Day on Monday, July 13.

Tickets for each game in the 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 Thursday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Hershey Medical Group, at 6:35 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Medlar Field at Lubrano 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 8, 2015


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