NYPL State College Spikes

Wick Ties Homer Mark, But Spikes Fall to 'Cutters, 8-4

Published on June 28, 2014 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


WILLIAMSPORT, PA - Rowan Wick matched the State College Spikes' single-season home run record with his 10th of the year, but the Williamsport Crosscutters slugged three homers, including a grand slam, to down the Spikes, 8-4, on Saturday night at Susquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field.

Wick's sixth-inning solo blast tied him with 2013 Spike David Washington atop the franchise's all-time single-season home run list. The North Vancouver, BC native took just 16 games to tie the mark, and five of his 10 long balls have come against Williamsport (7-8).

However, the Crosscutters staked themselves to a 5-0 lead in the second inning thanks to a solo home run by Matt Shortall to lead off the frame and a grand slam from Rhys Hoskins. Williamsport led by as much as six runs in the game, with a solo home run from Jan Hernandez in the fifth inning adding to the advantage.

The Spikes (10-6) scored their first run of the game in the fourth inning when Wick crossed the plate on a Crosscutters error. State College then rallied in the seventh inning as Wick contributed another RBI with a bases-loaded infield single, followed by another run that scored when Ronnierd Garcia was hit by a pitch. The Spikes would leave the bases loaded, though, and would not score again.

Wick upped his average on the season to a New York-Penn League-leading .392 with a 2-for-4 evening, and also walked once to increase his league-leading on-base percentage to .523 on the year.

State College starter Austin Gomber (0-1) took his first professional loss by giving up five runs, but only one earned, on six hits and two walks over two innings. Gomber also struck out one.

Mitch Gueller (1-1) started and earned the win for the Crosscutters. Gueller yielded one run on three hits and three walks over five innings of work, striking out four batters in the process. Williamsport used five relievers after Gueller to preserve the victory.

Hoskins went 3-for-4 at the plate for the Crosscutters, coming up a triple shy of the cycle. Derek Campbell, Emmanuel Marrero, Aaron Brown, Hernandez and Shortall all collected multiple hits for Williamsport. Every member of the Crosscutters' starting lineup reached base at least once during the game.

The win was Williamsport's second in seven meetings with the Spikes this year, and gave the Crosscutters a 52-51 lead in the all-time series.

Sunday, the Spikes and Crosscutters head back to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to finish their four-game, alternating-site series with a 6:05 p.m. matchup. Right-hander Will Anderson (0-1) will move up in the rotation to take Luis Perdomo's place for State College. Perdomo was promoted to Single-A Peoria earlier on Saturday.

Williamsport will send right-hander Alejandro Arteaga (1-1) to the hill.

It's one of the biggest promotional nights in Spikes history, as fans can greetAlfonso Ribeiro, who played "Carlton" from "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," thanks toB94.5. Fans can also bid on the Spikes' "Fresh Prince"-inspired jerseys in a Jersey-off-the-Back Auction, presented byPSECU, to benefitChildren's Miracle Network.

After Sunday's game,PSECUpresents another outstanding FIREWORKS show on the weekend.

Sunday is also the debut of Kids Day, presented byFirst National Bank. Kids can eat and play free on Sunday thanks toDairy Queen Grill & Chill, plus run the bases after the game thanks toClinical Outcomes Group, Inc.Ike's Kids Zone in left field will also be free for kids all gamelong thanks toSenator Jake Corman.

In addition,the Spikes and Crosscutters will engage in a "UniBattle" on Sunday, as while the Spikes will wear their special "Fresh Prince of Bel Air"-inspired jerseys to be auctioned off to benefit Children's Miracle Network, the Crosscutters will be donning their special "ugly Christmas sweater" jerseys, which were set to be worn this past Wednesday until a rainout delayed those plans.

Tickets for Sunday's game, as well as every game on the Spikes' 2014 home schedule, arecurrently on sale through the SpikesBoxOffice bycalling(814) 272-1711orbyvisitingin person. Fans can also buy and print single-game tickets by visitingStateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action on Sunday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented byPenn State Sports Medicine, at 5:35 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented byMount 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 by95.3 FM 3WZ, and on the 3WZ mobile apps, available on Google Play and the App Store.

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