NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Use Big Hits to Top Doubledays, 6-2, for First Win

June 22, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - Brian O'Keefe homered to begin the scoring, and Danny Martin became the sixth State College Spikes player to triple twice in one game as the Spikes defeated the Auburn Doubledays, 6-2, to crack the win column for the first time in the 2015 season.

O'Keefe's home run, a two-run shot off Auburn (3-1) starter Matthew Crownover (0-1) in the second inning, put the Spikes (1-3) out in front for good. State College followed with two more runs in the third on a Casey Grayson RBI single and a double by Ronnierd Garcia.

Martin then delivered a historic performance, tripling in both the fourth and sixth innings to match a feat previously achieved by Elevys Gonzalez, Taylor Lewis, Kirk Singer, Jodaneli Carvajal and Tyler Gaffney. Both of the Azusa Pacific product's three-base hits knocked in Elier Rodriguez to bolster the Spikes' lead.

The Spikes also played excellent defense behind State College starter Juan Perez (1-0), turning double plays in both the first and second innings after the first two hitters in each frame produced hits. Perez then used the support to go five innings for his first win of the season, allowing one run on seven hits while striking out one.

Jonathan Escudero provided three innings of one-run relief, giving up four hits and a walk while striking out five in his first appearance of the year. Kender Villegas battled through the ninth inning, yielding two hits and a walk and bringing the tying run to the plate before forcing a popout to end the game. Villegas struck out two in the effort.

Auburn's runs came on a Bryan Mejia RBI double in the fifth and Conor Keniry's RBI single in the seventh. The Doubledays put together 13 hits as a team, but stranded 11 runners on base.

Mejia, who doubled twice in the game, and Keniry each finished with three hits for the Doubledays.

Garcia produced a multi-hit game for the Spikes, which included a double, and reached base a total of four times.

The Spikes and Doubledays return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park tomorrow night for a 7:05 p.m. matchup. State College will send right-hander Landon Beck (0-0), who threw one scoreless, eight-pitch inning on Opening Night, to mound for his first start of the season. Auburn will go with right-hander Joan Baez (0-0).

The first 500 fans will receive a New York-Penn League Championship T-Shirt, presented by ServiceMaster by Holobinko & Merry Maids, as part of the T-Shirt Tuesday series presented by The B94.5. Gates will open to the public at 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday night is also Fútbol Night in America, as the Spikes celebrate the game of soccer with the U.S. women's team trying to bring home the cup in Canada. Plus, kids who achieved their reading goals will be honored as part of National Penn Bank Books & Baseball Night.

Wednesday, the series wraps up with a Half-Price Night, presented by BIG Froggy 101. Outfield Bleacher seats will be available for just $3 apiece, and fans can purchase half-price 16-oz. select domestic draft beers from 6-8 p.m. 16-oz. sodas will also be available at half-price all evening long.

Tickets for the remainder of Opening Week, as well as every game on the Spikes' 2015 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 Tuesday 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.

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics



New York-Penn League Stories from June 22, 2015


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