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NYPL State College Spikes

Swirchak Drives in Four to Key Spikes' 5-2 Win over Black Bears

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


STATE COLLEGE, PA - In his third professional game, Josh Swirchak knocked in four runs to pace the State College Spikes' offense to a 5-2 victory over the West Virginia Black Bears on Wednesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Swirchak, who signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent on June 13 out of Wilmington University in Delaware, produced his first two runs batted in with a base hit to right-center field. The Manassas, VA native then doubled to left-center in the eighth to score two more runs and give the Spikes (5-7) some insurance.

Harrison Bader also delivered another fine performance in his second professional game with State College. The Florida product went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base.

Danny Martin collected three hits, including a double, and scored a run for the Spikes as well on a fifth-inning double play ball. Martin also stole a base.

The Spikes' lead held up thanks to a solid two-man pitching effort. Starter Ian McKinney (1-2) logged six innings of one-run ball, yielding six hits and two walks while recording four strikeouts for the win. Tyler Bray yielded a run over three hits and a walk over the final three innings, but also struck out three as he earned his first save with State College in 2015.

West Virginia (5-7) starter Dario Agrazal (1-1) took the loss as he gave up three runs, two of them earned, on six hits and a walk. The Black Bears struck out just one batter as a staff during the game.

Ty Moore went 2-for-4 with a double for West Virginia. Kevin Kramer drove in a run with a ninth-inning single for the Black Bears.

The Spikes and Black Bears will meet for the second game of their three-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. State College will have right-hander Jorge Rodriguez (1-0) on the hill, one start after tossing five scoreless innings and retiring the last ten batters he faced against Mahoning Valley on Friday. West Virginia will go with right-hander Stephan Meyer (0-0), who is making his professional debut.

Fans can bring their dogs to the ballpark for a night of four-legged fun at the first Bark in the Park Night of the year, presented by Metzger Animal Hospital, Happy 103 and the Centre Daily Times. For a complete list of Bark in the Park rules and information, fans can check out StateCollegeSpikes.com.

The night also features the first $1 Beer Thursday of the year, presented by 93.7 THE BUS, with 12-oz. domestic draft beers just $1 each from 6-8 p.m.

The three-game series against the future Pirates ends with a preview of the Fourth as FIREWORKS light up the skies following the 7:05 p.m. game on Friday, July 3, presented by the PA Lottery. Friday is also First Responders Appreciation Night, presented by the Centre Daily Times. The Spikes will celebrate the brave men and women in local police, fire and EMT departments who help keep us safe in our local communities.

Plus, fans will be able to take advantage of the 4 for $44 Friday Northwest Family Value Ticket Package, and the Spikes will wear special patriotic hats which will then go up for bids on Saturday, July 11 as part of a Game-Used Hat Auction presented by Lion Country Kia to benefit PSU for Local Wounded Warriors on Military Appreciation Night.

Tickets for the two remaining games on the homestand, 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 Thursday 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.

Spikes fans can also catch live coverage of Friday's game against the Black Bears on WHVL-TV beginning at 7 p.m., with Steve Jones joining Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com on the call. Check WHVL.com to find what channel WHVL is located at on your local cable system in Central PA.

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