NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Stifled by Black Bears in 6-1 Defeat

Published on June 22, 2019 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


GRANVILLE, W.V. - The State College Spikes were held to their lowest offensive output of the season as West Virginia Black Bears pitching, including former Spike Winston Nicacio, held them to two hits in a 6-1 loss on Saturday night at Monongalia County Ballpark.

Nicacio (1-0), who made 16 appearances for State College (6-3) in 2018 before being selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in this past year's Rule 5 Draft, gave up no hits over three shutout innings to earn the victory in relief. The right-hander allowed just two walks and a hit batsman while striking out three batters.

The Spikes' lone run came in the third. Martin Figueroa smashed a one-out double off of the center-field wall, then came in to score on Moises Castillo's single.

West Virginia (5-4) broke the game open with five runs in the fourth. Blake Sabol followed Victor Ngoepe's sacrifice fly with a bases-loaded, three-run double to left-center field to key the outburst. Brett Kinneman added an RBI single to complete the scoring.

State College starter Enmanuel Solano (0-1) took the loss after allowing all six Black Bears runs over a total of 5 2/3 innings. Solano gave up eight hits, three walks and two hit batsmen while striking out five batters.

Michael Burrows started for West Virginia and yielded just one run on two hits and two walks over four innings, one below the requirement to receive credit for the victory. Burrows struck out seven batters during the outing.

The Black Bears also dealt the Spikes their first series loss of the season by taking Saturday night's game.

State College finishes the three-game set with a matinee matchup against West Virginia at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday at Monongalia County Ballpark. Left-hander Jacob Schlesener (0-0), who threw five shutout innings at Williamsport on Tuesday in his first start of the New York-Penn League season, gets the ball for the Spikes.

Right-hander J.T. Brubaker (0-0), the #18 prospect in the Pirates organization according to MLBPipeline.com, gets the ball for West Virginia. Brubaker is with the Black Bears on a minor league rehab assignment.

Following Sunday's game, the Spikes will have an off day on Monday before a six-game homestand from Tuesday, June 25 through Sunday, June 30. The Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Cleveland Indians) and Auburn Doubledays (Washington Nationals) both come to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for three games apiece.

The homestand will be highlighted by Medical Professionals Appreciation Night, presented by Encompass Health, on Thursday, June 27, the National Pride Month Celebration with a Pride Hat Giveaway for the first 500 fans and a Pre-Game On-Field Pride Parade that is open to all fans at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 28, and Party Like It's 1999 Night with a special Chris Owen (The Shermanator) Appearance on Sunday, June 30.

In addition, the skies will light up with a pair of FIREWORKS shows. PSU Student Orientation and Transition Programs will present the post-game display on Friday, June 28, with the PA Lottery presented the dazzling show after the Sunday, June 30 game.

Tickets for all six games in the homestand, as well as every game on the 2019 home schedule, are currently on sale through the Spikes Ticket Office. Tickets can be purchased by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting the Ticket Office in person from 9 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non-gamedays Monday through Friday.

Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action on Sunday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics, at 12:50 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Monongalia County Ballpark. 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, NEWSRADIO 1390 WRSC, as well as the TuneIn Radio app.

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New York-Penn League Stories from June 22, 2019


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