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NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Take Wild Card Lead with 9-2 Win over Scrappers

September 1, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


NILES, OH - R.J. Dennard slugged the first two home runs of his professional career to spearhead the State College Spikes attack as the Spikes took the lead in the New York-Penn League Wild Card race with a 9-2 victory over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Tuesday night at Eastwood Field.

The Spikes' (37-33) win, combined with losses by Hudson Valley and Staten Island, put them into a tie for first with West Virginia atop the Wild Card standings. However, State College holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over West Virginia, giving them control of their own playoff destiny with six games left in the regular season.

Dennard, the Cardinals' 39th-round selection this year, started his evening with a majestic two-run shot to right field to put the Spikes in front. The Armstrong State product then capped the scoring with another two-run homer to right field. Dennard became the second Spike with two long balls in a game this year, after Harrison Bader accomplished the feat on June 30 in Staten Island.

Orlando Olivera and Craig Aikin also produced RBI singles for State College, while Michael Massi aided the cause in the fourth when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

The Spikes also received another quality start on the mound from Dailyn Martinez (4-5). Martinez went six innings and yielded two runs, one of them earned, on seven hits and a walk. The righty also struck out three batters in the win.

Luke Harrison (2) earned the save automatically with three scoreless innings of relief to finish the game. Harrison allowed three hits and struck out two hitters.

Mahoning Valley (30-39) starter Micah Miniard (0-1) took the loss in his debut with the club. Miniard gave up four runs on five hits, two walks and three batsmen over five innings of work. The righty struck out one batter in the effort.

Ka'ai Tom went 3-for-3 with a walk for the Scrappers, while Daniel Salters and Austin Fisher each went 2-for-4 with a double.

State College now heads home to start the final homestand of the regular season with the opener of a three-game series against the Batavia Muckdogs (Miami Marlins) on Wednesday. The 7:05 p.m. matchup will feature NYPL All-Star right-hander Juan Perez (4-2) on the mound for the Spikes. The Muckdogs will respond with right-hander Jordan Holloway (4-6).

The fun of the final week of the regular season begins with a Half-Price Wednesday, presented by BIG Froggy 101, as the Spikes face Batavia at 7:05 p.m. Fans can get into the ballpark with half-price Outfield Bleacher seats for just $3 apiece, then enjoy half-price 16-oz. select domestic draft beers from 6-8 p.m. and half-price medium sodas all game long.

Fans will also enjoy two FIREWORKS shows, THON Night, $1 Beer Thursday presented by 93.7 THE BUS, Daddy-Daughter Date Night, and a trio of HD Weekend giveaways presented by Aaron's among other highlights as the last homestand extends until Sunday.

In addition, college students across Central PA can enjoy even more value during every remaining Spikes home game with the College 3-2-1 Special. The College 3-2-1 Special offers any college student presenting a valid student ID at ticket and concessions windows $3 Outfield Bleacher seats or $3 off seat in any other ballpark section, excluding Pepsi Picnic Pavilion and suites, plus $2 medium sodas and $1 hot dogs all game long.

Tickets for the final five dates remaining on the Spikes' 10th Season home schedule are currently on sale through the Spikes Box Office by calling (814) 272-1711 by visiting in person. Fans can also buy and print single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Fans can also purchase Playoff Packs in anticipation of potential Spikes home games during the New York-Penn League playoffs, which begin on Wednesday, September 9. Plus, each Playoff Pack will come with a free, limited-edition 2015 Spikes playoff T-shirt while supplies last. For more information, and to order a Playoff Pack, call the Spikes Box Office at (814) 272-1711.

Catch all of the action on Wednesday 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 September 1, 2015


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