Spikes top Muckdogs, 1-0, in ten-inning duel
The game, which was the first in State College (8-6) history to go to a scoreless tie after the regulation nine innings, featured superb pitching performances on both sides. Spikes starter and top Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Luis Heredia pitched five scoreless innings in the third outing of his State College career. Heredia allowed just three hits and struck out three batters while also eliciting a double play during his time on the mound. The 17-year-old right-hander has only allowed one earned run in 14 innings with the Spikes this season.
On the other side, Batavia (6-8) starter Tyler Melling retired the first ten batters he faced before yielding a single to Diaz in the fourth inning. Melling went into the sixth inning before allowing another baserunner, but faced a bases-loaded situation after a Walker Gourley single, an error on a Jones sacrifice attempt, and a walk. The southpaw forced an out at the plate on a groundball, though, and left the final out to reliever Joe Scanio. Melling yielded a total of two hits and one walk while striking out five over 5 1/3 innings.
Both bullpens kept the opponent off the board, with State College reliever Kyle Haynes getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning unscathed. However, Jones led off the bottom of the tenth inning with a line-drive single to center field off of Dyllon Nuernberg (0-1). D.J. Crumlich followed by moving Jones up with a sacrifice bunt and reached base himself on a throwing error by Muckdogs catcher Jesus Montero.
Diaz then delivered a single through the left side of a drawn-in infield to plate Jones and end the game. The Spikes shortstop was the only State College player with multiple hits in the contest.
Jordan Cooper (1-1) picked up the win for the Spikes after pitching a perfect tenth inning and notching a strikeout. It was Cooper's first Spikes win since August 4, 2011, when he earned the victory at Vermont.
Nuernberg took the loss without retiring a batter in the tenth inning.
Monday, State College faces Batavia in a 7:05 p.m. matchup at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The Spikes send another teenage pitching star to the mound as 19-year-old right-hander Clay Holmes (2-0) makes the start. Holmes, the ninth-round draft choice of the Pirates in 2011, has not allowed an earned run in his first ten professional innings.
Batavia will go with right-hander Joe Cuda (1-0), who earned the win this past Tuesday against the Spikes at Dwyer Stadium.
Monday's game will provide the best combination of ballpark fun and affordability all season! Fans are invited to bring their dogs to the 7:05 p.m. game for the first of two Bark in the Park Nights, presented by Metzger Animal Hospital. Dogs don't require a separate ticket, but fans are asked to obey just a few simple rules. Dogs are only permitted to sit in the Outfield Bleacher section, or roam the concourse areas on a leash with their owner. In addition, fans are asked to only bring one dog per person and should bring copies of their dogs' vaccination records.
As if bringing your four-legged pal to the game isn't great enough, fans can take advantage of the first "Buck Night" of the season, presented by 95.3 FM 3WZ. Outfield Bleacher seats cost just one dollar, and hot dogs, small sodas and peanuts will be available for just one buck as well!
Tickets for Monday'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 Monday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, at 6:35 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live from the concourse behind home plate at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.