Twin comebacks not enough as Spikes fall in ten
FISHKILL, NY - The State College Spikes battled back from two deficits to send the game to extra innings, but the Hudson Valley Renegades pulled out a 7-6 win in the tenth inning on Saturday night at Dutchess Stadium.
Hudson Valley's (15-12) Granden Goetzman helped bring in the winning run in the bottom of the last frame as he laid down a bunt single, with an ensuing throwing error by State College (14-11) reliever Jhonny Polanco (0-1) allowing Oscar Hernandez to score and end the game.
The Spikes fell behind 3-0 in the first inning and trailed 6-4 after five, but found a way to erase the Renegades' advantage each time. Ronald Castillo delivered two hits, including a double, which produced a total of three runs during the Spikes' first rally. Meanwhile, Steven Ramos notched his second three-hit game in three nights for State College and scored a pair of runs to aid in the Spikes' offensive efforts.
Mason Katz scored the tying run for State College in the eighth after reaching on a two-base error to lead off the inning. Bruce Caldwell also had a big night, going 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and one run batted in.
Polanco (0-1) took the loss for the Spikes after going two-plus innings and allowing the winning run, which was unearned, on a total of three hits and two walks. The right-hander also struck out one.
State College starter Kevin Herget allowed the Renegades to take the early lead when Hernandez delivered a three-run homer to left field in the first inning, but recovered to pitch four strong innings in front of family and friends making the trip from New Jersey. Herget picked off two runners in the game, and yielded only those three runs on a total of six hits and two hit batsmen while striking out one over four innings.
Renegades reliever Eli Echarry (3-1) lost the lead, but won the game after going four innings to finish out the contest. Echarry allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits and two walks while striking out two.
Hernandez scored the final tally, and gave Hudson Valley the early lead with his three-run homer to left field in the first inning. Ariel Soriano and Jonathan Quinonez each collected three hits for the Renegades, with Soriano adding a double and a stolen base.
Sunday, the Spikes and Renegades continue their three-game series with the middle game of the set. The 5:05 p.m. matchup at Dutchess Stadium will feature left-hander Ben O'Shea (3-1) on the mound for State College. Right-hander Aaron Griffin (2-0) is slated to start for Hudson Valley.
After the series against the Renegades concludes on Monday, the Spikes will enjoy an off day on 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 17th will also receive a bobble head of one of Bellefonte's favorite sons, Eric Milton, to kick off the Local Legends Bobble Head Series. Plus, it will 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 Sunday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, at 4:50 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Dutchess Stadium. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.