Spikes' fast start leads to win over Muckdogs
STATE COLLEGE, PA - A four-run first inning gave the State College Spikes a lot of cushion on Saturday night, and David Washington's second home run of the year provided the exclamation point as the Spikes topped the Batavia Muckdogs, 5-2, at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Carson Kelly's two-out, two-run double was the key hit in State College's (11-8) initial surge, sandwiched between a Mason Katz sacrifice fly and an RBI single from Ronald Castillo. Washington's solo home run in the third inning came off Batavia (8-9) reliever Justin Jackson, and gave the Spikes a 5-0 lead they would not relinquish.
Castillo, making his return to the lineup after not playing since last Wednesday, delivered a 2-for-3 performance to extend his hitting streak to 10 games and tie him with Tri-City's Dan Gulbransen for the longest such string in the New York-Penn League.
Jimmy Bosco also delivered his second triple and 11th extra-base hit of the year for State College.
The Spikes' offensive exploits were bolstered by another strong effort on the mound by starter Chris Perry (2-0). Perry, making his second start in a row against the Muckdogs, earned the win after allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits and a walk over six innings of work. The right-hander also struck out five.
Brady Adamek (3) notched the save with 1 1/3 shutout frames to preserve the State College victory. Adamek hit the first batter he faced, but retired the next four and recorded the last two of the Spikes' ten strikeouts as a staff on the night.
Batavia starter Trevor Williams (0-1) took the loss after yielding all four of the Spikes' first-inning runs on a total of four hits and two walks. Williams also struck out one over his two innings on the mound.
Austin Dean went 3-for-4 to lead the Batavia offense, while Avery Romero picked up a pair of hits, including a double.
Sunday, the Spikes welcome a new foe to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Cleveland Indians) come in for a 6:05 p.m. matchup to start a three-game set. Right-hander Chase Brookshire (0-0) will make his professional debut for State College as the first man in a "piggyback" tandem on the mound. Brookshire, the Cardinals' 20th-round draft choice this year out of Belmont University, was activated from the Disabled List on Friday. Right-hander Kevin Herget (2-0) is set to be the second man in for the Spikes.
Mahoning Valley is slated to go with left-hander Luis Lugo (1-1) on the hill.
Fans will enjoy FIREWORKS presented by the PA Lottery and ESPN Radio 1450 after Sunday's game on a Family Fireworks Funday, presented by First National Bank. Before the game, fans can play catch on the field, and after the game, kids can run the bases thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc. In addition, it's a Chick-fil-A Spikes Student All-Stars Night, and fans will enjoy Sgt. Bob Timney's set of live acoustic music near the ballpark gates.
The Spikes will also continue the homestand against the Scrappers 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 5:35 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.