Spikes' win string snapped at five Tuesday night
Heredia (0-1), the 17-year-old right-hander who is rated by Baseball America as the fifth-best prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates system, yielded an unearned run in the first inning and an earned run in the second inning, but suffered no further damage on the scoreboard. The native of Mazatlan, Mexico suffered the loss after giving up eight hits but did not walk a batter while striking out three over his tenure on the mound.
Batavia (4-5) scratched its first run across in the opening inning after a one-out error and an RBI double by Garrett Wittels. The Muckdogs added a marker in the second inning when Jonathan Keener tripled off of Heredia with one out and scored on Jordan Walton's base hit one batter later.
State College (6-3) responded in the fourth inning when Yhonathan Barrios delivered a two-out single to right field and stole second base, setting the table for Gourley's RBI triple to cut the Batavia lead to 2-1.
However, the Spikes would not get any closer, as the Muckdogs added a run in the seventh inning on another run-scoring double by Wittels to put the score at its final margin.
Barrios was the lone Spike with multiple hits in the game, and has now collected four hits over the past two games after notching just one in the season's first week. Barrett Barnes was also hit by a pitch during the game, the New York-Penn League-leading fourth time he has been hit by a pitch this season.
Muckdogs starter Joe Cuda (1-0) earned the victory after yielding a run on five hits and a walk over five innings on the mound. Cuda also struck out a pair of batters. Yunier Castillo (2) picked up the save with a perfect ninth inning, including one strikeout.
Wittels ended the game 3-for-4 with his two doubles and two runs batted in.
Wednesday, the Spikes and Muckdogs meet in the rubber match of their three-game series at Dwyer Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. State College will have right-hander Clay Holmes (1-0) on the mound. The 19-year-old earned the win in his professional debut this past Friday, going five innings against Mahoning Valley. Batavia will counter with left-hander Daniel Bibona (0-0).
The Spikes will complete a road trip through Batavia and Mahoning Valley over the next four nights before coming back home for another Family Fireworks Funday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, presented by First National Bank, on Sunday. Fans will enjoy a fabulous post-game FIREWORKS display presented by Snyder's of Hanover, plus a Pre-Game Catch on the Field from 5-5:30 p.m. and Kids Run the Bases after the game presented by Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.
It's also going to be Health and Fitness Night, and the Spikes will hold Salute to the 2nd Amendment - the Right to "Bare" Arms, featuring fans showing off their strength. In additions, fans showing their Northwest Savings Bank credit or debit card at the Spikes Box Office can get $3 off of any ticket in the park for Sunday's game, excluding suite and picnic tickets.
Tickets for Sunday's game, as well as every Spikes regular season home game in 2012, 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 clicking here.
Catch all of the action on Wednesday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, at 6:50 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live from Dwyer Stadium. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.