NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Top Cyclones, 7-6, to Take NYPL Wild Card Lead

August 12, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


BROOKLYN, NY - Orlando Olivera smashed his fourth home run of the year, and the State College Spikes held on for a 7-6 win over the Brooklyn Cyclones on Wednesday night at MCU Park, allowing them to take sole possession of first place in the New York-Penn League Wild Card race.

The win was the fifth in a row for the Spikes (27-24), who went to three games above .500 for the first time this season after the victory. The Spikes now lead Lowell by a half-game, with Connecticut a game back and Aberdeen and Brooklyn each two games behind.

Olivera's home run, a solo shot to left field on the first pitch of the second inning, was his third in the last seven games. The Missouri Baptist product and 2015 38th-round draft choice has now produced 17 runs batted in over his 20 games with State College.

However, the Spikes had to withstand a late Brooklyn (25-26) rally to capture the victory. The Cyclones scored a pair of runs in the ninth to draw within one, but Pedro Echemendia (8) recorded a flyout and a strikeout to notch the save and finish the game.

The Spikes took the early lead when Jhohan Acevedo led off the game with a triple and scored on Leobaldo Pina's sacrifice fly. After Olivera's long ball tied the game, the Cyclones scored a pair of runs in the third before Cole Lankford's RBI single in the fourth got the Spikes within one.

State College then took the lead for good in the sixth thanks to Ronnierd Garcia's two-run double with the bases-loaded, and added to it with R.J. Dennard's run-scoring groundout in the same frame. The Spikes then added a needed insurance run in the eighth when Lankford and Garcia produced back-to-back doubles.

Landon Beck (2-3) fought through a rough patch early to earn the win. The New York-Penn League All-Star allowed four runs on five hits and two walks over five innings of work. Beck also struck out seven batters, giving him a tie for the league lead 51 whiffs that includes 24 strikeouts over his last 17 1/3 innings.

Luke Harrison then tossed two scoreless innings for the Spikes before giving way to Kevin Alexander, who went 1 1/3 innings before Echemendia finished the game.

Brooklyn starter Tyler Badamo (2-6) took the loss after being charged with six runs on seven hits and a walk over 5 1/3 innings. Badamo's six strikeouts also gave him 51 on the season to tie him with Beck atop the NYPL leaderboard in that category.

Casey Grayson went 3-for-5 with a double to raise his average to .325, just 11 points back of Connecticut's Victor Padron for the league lead. Acevedo contributed a three-hit game for the Spikes, including a double, while Lankford notched a trio of hits as well.

Jose Garcia was the lone Cyclone with multiple hits in the game.

The Spikes now seek to keep their New York-Penn League Wild Card lead as they face the Cyclones on Thursday night in a 7:00 p.m. matchup at MCU Park. The middle game of the three-game series will feature right-hander Carson Cross (1-2) starting for State College against Brooklyn left-hander Kevin Canelon (4-3).

After the short jaunt to Brooklyn, the Spikes return home to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Saturday to start a big weekend series against the rival West Virginia Black Bears (Pittsburgh Pirates). Fans can catch the return of Cowboy Monkey Rodeo, presented by Penn State Federal Credit Union, at Saturday's 7:05 p.m. game against the Black Bears. Plus, the skies over Central PA will light up with a fantastic post-game FIREWORKS show, and one lucky fan will win the chance to play Lion Country Kia Plinko on the field for a brand new Kia and other great prizes.

Sunday, the skies over Happy Valley will light up like never before with the Pyro Musical FIREWORKS, presented by First National Bank, after the 6:05 p.m. matchup against West Virginia. It's also Star Wars Night at the ballpark, and the Spikes will celebrate the history and heritage of the seat of Centre County with Bellefonte Community Night, presented by Swartz Fire & Safety.

Tickets for both weekend home games, 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 Thursday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Hershey Medical Group, at 6:45 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from MCU 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 August 12, 2015


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