Spikes felled by Crosscutters' big inning

STATE COLLEGE, PA - The State College Spikes shut out the Williamsport Crosscutters in every inning save one, but that single frame would be the difference as the Crosscutters broke through with five straight hits to start a five-run sixth inning and take a 5-2 decision on Tuesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Cesar Valera had another big game for State College (8-7) with two hits, including a double, but it was not quite enough. Valera is now 12-for-23 against Williamsport this year, good for a .522 average.

Ben O'Shea (2-1) coasted through the first five innings on the hill for the Spikes, but the sixth would be his undoing on the night as he yielded back-to-back doubles, a single, and another double to begin the sixth inning and conclude his night.

O'Shea elicited three double plays on the game, including a strike 'em out, throw 'em out twin killing in the second, but ended up charged with four runs, all earned, on a total of six hits, a walk and a hit batsman. The southpaw did record three strikeouts in his mound tenure.

Dylan Cozens capped the Crosscutters' sixth-inning rally with a two-run homer to the bleachers in right field off of Spikes reliever Jhonny Polanco.

State College had taken the lead in the fourth on David Washington's RBI double. Steven Ramos then added a run-scoring single in the seventh inning to draw the Spikes within three runs, but was thrown out trying to extend it to a double.

Bruce Caldwell also had multiple hits for State College, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Williamsport reliever Yacksel Rios (1-0) got credit for the win in relief as he tossed three innings and gave up one run on three hits while striking out three. Starter Jon Prosinski carried a 10.80 ERA on the season into the game, but held the Spikes to just one run on four hits while also striking out three through four innings of work. Felix Santos (1) hurled two shutout innings, allowing three hits and a walk in the process, to pick up the save.

The Medlar Field at Lubrano Park crowd also included 479 dogs on Tuesday night as part of the club's first Bark in the Park Night of the year, presented by Metzger Animal Hospital, NEWSRADIO 103 WRSC and the Centre Daily Times.

Wednesday, the Spikes visit Williamsport to complete their three-game set against the Crosscutters with a 7:05 p.m. matchup at Historic Bowman Field. State College will again employ a "piggyback" setup on the mound, with right-hander Nick Petree (0-1) starting the game and left-hander Jimmy Reed (0-0) coming in next. Williamsport will hand the ball to right-hander Drew Anderson (2-0).

The Spikes will then return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for their first July 4 home game in three years when they take on the Muckdogs at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. The Fourth of July fun will include a Spikes Patriotic Hat Giveaway, presented by Vision Creative Solutions, to the first 1,000 fans age 12 and under to begin the Mini-Majors Head to Toe Giveaway Series.

The Spikes will also wear special patriotic hats on the field, which will be up for bids in a Hat-off-the-Head Auction throughout the game. All auction winners will receive their hats, autographed by the Spikes, immediately after the game, with proceeds benefiting local military hero Sgt. Adam Hartswick.

Tickets for the Spikes' upcoming homestand from July 4-9, as well as every Spikes home game on the 2013 slate, 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 Wednesday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, at 6:50 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Historic Bowman Field. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.