NYPL State College Spikes

Spikes Use Long Ball to Sink Yankees in 4-3 Win

August 12, 2016 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE, PA - Vince Jackson and Ryan McCarvel smashed back-to-back home runs in the first inning to give the State College Spikes a lead they would not relinquish in a 4-3 victory over the Staten Island Yankees on Friday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

With the win and Williamsport's loss, State College (37-17) extended its lead in the New York-Penn League Pinckey Division to 6 1/2 games, the largest for the Spikes this season.

Jackson's line drive two-run shot to the Pepsi Picnic Pavilion in left field, his second of the season, was followed by McCarvel's moon shot, his seventh of the season, to the same spot one pitch later.

McCarvel now owns sole possession of third place on the NYPL's homer list, two behind Miguel Mercedes of Vermont and the now-promoted Stephen Wrenn of Tri-City.

Staten Island (30-23) responded with an RBI double in the third from Dom Thompson-Williams, but Jackson notched his 33rd RBI of the season in the bottom of the same frame with a single to right-center field.

The Yankees crept back into the game on Kane Sweeney's run-scoring single in the sixth and Thompson-Williams's RBI groundout in the seventh, but Brady Bowen (7) shut the door with a perfect ninth inning, including one strikeout. Bowen's seven saves now lead the NYPL as well.

Jordan DeLorenzo started the bullpen-led effort for the Spikes with four one-run innings. DeLorenzo retired the first eight batters he faced and yielded a total of four hits while striking out five batters.

Max Almonte (1-1) and Connor Jones then followed with two one-run innings apiece before Bowen closed the game. Almonte allowed one hit and recorded three strikeouts in the victory.

Staten Island starter Simon De La Rosa (4-2), who got the nod after a change in the Yankees rotation, took the loss. De La Rosa allowed all four Spikes runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings of work.

State College did not leave a runner on base until their final at-bat in the eighth inning.

Saturday, the Spikes and Yankees tangle in the middle game of their three-game series. The 7:05 p.m. matchup at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park will feature right-hander Jordan Hicks (2-0) on the mound for State College. Staten Island will go with right-hander Chad Martin (1-0).

Christian Hackenberg, the Nittany Lions' all-time leader in career passing yardage, career touchdown passes and single-game passing yardage, will be honored with a bobblehead presented by The Nittany Lion Inn & The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel and ESPN Radio 1450 that will go to the first 1,000 fans of all ages on Saturday. Gates open to the public at 6 p.m.

It's Mifflin & Juniata County Night, presented by The Sentinel and WHVL-TV, as part of the Community Nights Series presented by CATACOMMUTE. The night features a FREE Kids Zone! presented by Friends of Jake Corman, and after the game, kids can run the bases thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.

Every fan will also be a winner on a Scratch n' Win Saturday, presented by P.J. Harrigan's, as each fan receives a scratch-off card with a great Spikes prize or discount on it, with one lucky fan receiving the grand prize of Spikes season tickets.

Saturday's game will also be carried live on WHVL-TV, the last of three live TV broadcasts of Spikes home games this season. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m., with Joe Putnam joining Penn State head baseball coach Rob Cooper on the call. Check WHVL.com to find what channel WHVL is located at on your local cable system in Central PA.

Sunday, fans can meet Dennis Haskins, who played "Mr. Belding" on TV's "Saved by the Bell," with the appearance presented by Comcast Spotlight. The skies will also light up with FIREWORKS presented by Nuts For You after the 6:05 p.m. game.

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday's games, as well as every game remaining on the Spikes' 2016 home schedule, are currently on sale through the Spikes Ticket Office by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting in person. Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action on Saturday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Health, 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, Newsradio 1390 WRSC, as well as the TuneIn Radio app.

Spikes fans can also catch home games in 2016 even when outside Central PA thanks to the new partnership with MiLB. TV to stream all games online to paid subscribers of the service. MiLB. TV offers fans the chance to follow the game's future stars across Minor League Baseball, with more than 5,000 games streamed live, including affiliates of all 30 MLB teams, and complete game archives available on demand. Fans can subscribe to MiLB. TV for the whole season at the new lower price of $29.99, or subscribe monthly at $12.99 a month.

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New York-Penn League Stories from August 12, 2016


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