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About

Spikes rally, but Muckdogs hold on to take win

Late homer frustrates Spikes' comeback from down 3-0
By
July 5, 2013

STATE COLLEGE, PA - The State College Spikes battled back from down three runs to tie the game in the eighth inning, but Ryan Aper's home run in the ninth inning was the difference as the Batavia Muckdogs took a 4-3 decision on Friday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

State College (10-8) faced a 3-0 deficit in the bottom of the third inning as Batavia (8-8) put up a trifecta in the top half. However, David Washington would key the Spikes' resurgence as his RBI single in the fourth plated Bruce Caldwell with the first State College run. Washington then doubled and scored on a Muckdogs error in the sixth to bring the Spikes within a run.

Carson Kelly knotted the game, 3-3, in the eighth inning with an RBI single to bring in Mason Katz after Katz had walked, stolen second and stolen third in succession.

Aper would go on to lead off the ninth inning with his home run to left field off Jeff Rauh (1-2). The Spikes threatened in the ninth after Matthew Young hustled to extend a single into a double, but stranded him there to end the game.

Caldwell and Brian Vigo joined Washington and Young in notching doubles for State College. Vigo, Kelly and Steven Ramos all picked up multiple base hits for the Spikes as well.

Rauh came on in the eighth inning and gave up just Aper's home run and a walk over his two innings. The right-hander also struck out one.

Batavia reliever Dane Stone (1-0) ceded the lead in the eighth inning, but got credit for the win. Stone allowed a run on a total of three hits and a walk while striking out two over two innings of work. Colby Suggs (1), the Marlins' second-round pick out of Arkansas, pitched the ninth and earned his first pro save. Suggs struck out one.

Scott Carcaise knocked in a pair of runs for the Muckdogs with his third-inning double, while Austin Dean singled twice and Avery Romero hit a pair of doubles.

Saturday, the Spikes and Muckdogs complete their three-game set at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park with a 7:05 p.m. matchup. State College will go with right-hander Chris Perry (1-0) on the mound, while Batavia is slated to start right-hander Trevor Williams (0-0). Perry and Williams started against each other on Sunday at Dwyer Stadium, with neither figuring in the decision.

The force is sure to be with Spikes fans on Star Wars Night, as characters from the twin trilogies will be on hand to provide entertainment throughout the evening. Every fan is also a winner on Saturday, as each fan will receive a scratch-off card with great a Spikes prize or discount on it as part of Scratch N' Win Saturday, presented by SUPERCUTS, with free and discounted haircuts also in the prize pool.

In addition, it's a National Penn Bank Books & Baseball Night, and fans using a Northwest Savings Bank credit or debit card can get a $3 ticket discount (excluding picnics, suites and Rail Kings seats). After the game, kids can run the bases thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.

Following Saturday's game, the Spikes will welcome the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Cleveland Indians) to town for a three-game series from Sunday through Tuesday to complete the homestand. Fans will enjoy FIREWORKS presented by the PA Lottery and ESPN Radio 1450 after Sunday's 6:05 p.m. game, with Buck Night, presented by 95.3 FM 3WZ on tap for Monday at 7:05 p.m. and the first 500 fans of all ages getting a great Spikes t-shirt, presented by P.J. Harrigan's, as part of a 7:05 p.m. game on T-Shirt Tuesday.

Tickets for the remainder of the homestand, 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 Saturday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, 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 95.3 FM 3WZ.