Spikes' streak halted by Aberdeen, 2-1

Kelly scores lone run as Spikes limited to three hits

July 10, 2013

ABERDEEN, MD - The State College Spikes were held to three hits and their four-game winning streak came to a close as the Aberdeen IronBrids earned a 2-1 win on Wednesday night at Ripken Stadium.

Carson Kelly scored State College's (14-9) only run on a double-play ball in the fifth inning, and collected one of the Spikes' hits. Cesar Valera and Luke Voit had the other base knocks for State College. Aberdeen (13-10) pitchers retired 13 straight Spikes hitters from the fifth inning up to the ninth.

Jimmy Reed (1-1) took his first professional loss after yielding both IronBirds runs over a total of four innings of work. The Gaithersburg, MD native gave up five hits but struck out three in his first pro appearance in his home state.

Nick Petree tossed four scoreless innings following Reed on the mound, striking out five batters in the process. Petree yielded just three hits and a walk.

Aberdeen scored both of its runs early thanks to Mike Yastrzemski. The Vanderbilt product, who is the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, doubled in a run in the first inning and then scored on Trey Martini's single in the third.

IronBirds starter Mitch Horacek (1-1) earned the win with five innings of work in which he allowed a run on three hits and a walk while striking out six. Jimmy Yacabonis (2) got the save with two scoreless innings, allowing one walk and striking out three batters.

Tanner Rust notched three hits and a walk for Aberdeen as well.

The loss, combined with Jamestown's win over Hudson Valley, gave Aberdeen first place in the New York-Penn League's McNamara Division and put State College a game back of the Pinckney Division lead.

Thursday, the Spikes and IronBirds clash in the middle game of their three-game series at Ripken Stadium. The 7:05 p.m. matchup will feature right-hander Andrew Pierce (0-0) starting for State College against Johnstown, PA native Austin Urban (0-2) for Aberdeen.

After continuing the road trip in Aberdeen and Hudson Valley through Monday, the Spikes will enjoy an off day next Tuesday before coming home on Wednesday, July 17, to take on the Lowell Spinners (Boston Red Sox) at 7:05 p.m. for Bellefonte Community Night, presented by Northwest Savings Bank and 95.3 FM 3WZ. The first 1,000 fans of all ages on the 17^th will also receive a bobble head of one of Bellefonte's favorite sons, Eric Milton, to kick off the Local Legends Bobble Head Series. It will also be a Half-Price Wednesday, presented by BIG Froggy 101.

The game kicks off a six-game homestand that extends through Monday, July 22, with the Spinners and Connecticut Tigers (Detroit Tigers) each coming in for three games.

Tickets for each game from July 17-22, 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 Thursday 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 Ripken Stadium. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.