NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Surge Early for 6-2 Win over Renegades

Published on July 25, 2015 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY - The State College Spikes scored five runs and produced 11 hits over the first five innings, including a two-run homer from Jesse Jenner, then made the lead hold up to defeat the Hudson Valley Renegades, 6-2, on Saturday night at Dutchess Stadium.

Jenner's blast, his second of the season, started the scoring in the second as he took a 1-1 pitch from Hudson Valley (18-16) starter Benton Moss (1-1) over the left-field wall. The Spikes then produced four hits in the third inning alone, with RBI singles from Casey Grayson and Cole Lankford increasing the lead to 4-0.

Leobaldo Pina then made it 5-0 in the fifth with a single that brought in Thomas Spitz. The Spikes hit a slow patch after that, with no baserunners until the ninth. However, State College reawakened in the ninth as Mike Pritchard knocked in Champ Rowland with an insurance run to close the scoring.

Jhohan Acevedo contributed three hits, including a double, to the Spikes' (17-17) offensive output in his return to the State College starting lineup. Five different players produced multiple hits for the Spikes.

Starter Carson Cross tossed four scoreless innings for State College, allowing two runs and two hits while striking out three. The Spikes' scoreless string to start the series against the Renegades then stretched to 14 innings before back-to-back RBI singles for Matt Dacey and Cade Gotta in the sixth put Hudson Valley on the board.

However, Brennan Leitao (1-0) notched the final out of that inning to douse the threat, and allowed just two hits over 1 1/3 scoreless frames to earn the first win of his professional career.

Kevin Alexander (1) then recorded the final six outs, two via strikeout, while giving up just one walk for his first save in a State College uniform.

Moss took the loss for Hudson Valley as he allowed four runs on nine hits while striking out three batters over four innings.

Jake Cronenworth and Joe McCarthy each had two hits for the Renegades.

The Spikes have now won three of their last four road series, and have taken back-to-back victories at Dutchess Stadium after not winning there since August 17, 2011.

State College and Hudson Valley will finish off their three-game series at Dutchess Stadium on Sunday with a 5:05 p.m. matchup. Left-hander Ian McKinney (3-2), who has won his last three decisions, gets the ball for the Spikes. The Renegades will send right-hander Cameron Varga (1-2) to the mound.

After the weekend series against Hudson Valley and an off day on Monday, the Spikes will return home on Tuesday, July 28 to begin a six-game string at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Vermont and Lowell will be the opposition during the stretch.

The series against Vermont starts with a 10th Season T-Shirt Tuesday giveaway, presented by McClure Mechanical Services, to the first 500 fans of all ages when gates open at 6 p.m. for the Spikes' 7:05 p.m. matchup against the Lake Monsters. The giveaway is part of the T-Shirt Tuesday series, presented by The B94.5.

Other highlights of the homestand include Dollar Beer Thursday, presented by 93.7 THE BUS, Ed Randall's Fans for the Cure Prostate Cancer Awareness Night, FIREWORKS presented by Vision Creative Solutions and ESPN Radio 1450, Bark in the Park Night presented by Metzger Animal Hospital, and the annual Paint the Park Pink Night presented by Mount Nittany Health.

Tickets for each game of the homestand from July 28 to August 2, as well as every date 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 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 Dutchess Stadium. 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 25, 2015


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