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 State College Spikes

Spikes Walk-Off with 3-2 Win over Doubledays

August 23, 2018 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Alexis Wilson scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth as the State College Spikes drew to within two games of first place in the New York-Penn League Wild Card race with a 3-2 walk-off win over the Auburn Doubledays on Thursday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

The victory was the Spikes' (33-32) sixth walk-off win of the season. State College is now one of five teams within two games or less of the Doubledays (35-30) in the hunt for the league's lone Wild Card berth.

Wilson started the Spikes' late surge with a single to center, then advanced to third on Imeldo Diaz's double down the third-base line. After an intentional walk to Jonatan Machado and a strikeout, Nector Ramirez (1-3) uncorked the wild pitch that plated Wilson to end the game.

Eli Kraus made a strong start for State College, allowing just one run on four hits and striking out eight batters over 5 1/43 innings. Kraus struck out the first five batters he faced, and retired the first 10 Auburn batters of the night in order.

The Spikes took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on Lars Nootbaar's RBI single and a bases-loaded walk to Delvin Perez. Following Jose Sanchez's run-scoring single to draw the Doubledays within a run in the fifth, Auburn tied the game in the eight on a two-out single from Carson Shaddy.

Kevin Hamann (1-1) picked up his first relief win of the season after tying for the NYPL lead with nine saves to start the year. Hamann allowed one hit and two walks, one of them intentional, but gave up no runs in the ninth. The righty also struck out one batter.

Ramirez recorded two outs, one via strikeout, before taking the loss in relief for Auburn.

Diaz doubled twice for the Spikes.

State College also stayed within 3 1/2 games of the NYPL Pinckney Division lead held by Mahoning Valley with the win.

Friday, the Spikes take on the Doubledays in a 7:05 p.m. game at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The middle game of the three-game set between the two clubs will feature right-hander Chris Holba (3-2) on the mound for the Spikes against Auburn right-hander Jake Irvin (0-0), the Washington Nationals' 2018 fifth-round draft choice out of the University of Oklahoma.

Gates open to the general public at 6 p.m. for Friday's game, and the first 1,000 fans of all ages will receive a DaeSean Hamilton Bobblehead Giveaway, presented by The Nittany Lion Inn & The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel and ESPN Radio 1450. The bobblehead not only honors the leading pass-catcher to wear the Blue & White in Happy Valley, but also a 2017 Spikes production associate.

Friday is also Autism Awareness Night, featuring autism education efforts at the ballpark, a sensory room to create a welcoming environment for all fans, and more events.

In addition, it's a 4 for $44 Friday, presented by MAJIC 99, with four of the best seats in the house, four hot dogs and four small sodas available for just $44 - an $85 value. Additional packages are available for just $11 each.

After the game, fans can also enjoy a fantastic FIREWORKS show presented by PSECU.

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 off their seat in any ballpark section, excluding the Pepsi Picnic Pavilion and Luxury Suites, plus $2 regular sodas and $1 hot dogs all game long.

Plus, Bud Light drafts will be available at half-price from 6-8 p.m. as part of the Bud Light Happy Hour.

The fun continues after the game, when kids can run the bases.

Saturday, the Spikes complete their three-game set with the Doubledays at 7:05 p.m., with a Spikes Backpack Giveaway for the first 500 fans of all ages, presented by the McClure Company, on Back to School Night.

Fans will also enjoy another Spike-tacular FIREWORKS show after Saturday's game, presented by Boyles Insurance.

Tickets for Friday and Saturday's games, as well as all five games remaining on the 2018 Spikes home schedule, are currently on sale through the Spikes Ticket Office. Tickets can be purchased by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting the Ticket Office in person from 9 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non-gamedays Monday through Friday.

Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action on Friday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics, 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.


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