Spikes slip past Jammers in ninth inning, 2-0

JAMESTOWN, NY - The State College Spikes did not get a runner past first base through the first eight innings, but scored the only runs of the game in the ninth to beat the Jamestown Jammers, 2-0, on Friday night at Russell Diethrick Park and get within a game of first place in the New York-Penn League's Pinckney Division.

State College (32-23) halved Jamestown's (33-22) lead with the win, and remains in first place in the NYPL's Wild Card standings.

Steven Ramos keyed the Spikes' late surge by beating out a bunt single with a headfirst slide as the leadoff man. Jammers catcher Andrew Dennis then erred on a pickoff throw to first, sending Ramos to third. After Cesar Valera was hit by a pitch, Brett Wiley knocked in the game's first run with a sacrifice fly.

Valera then added an insurance run as he moved to second on a wild pitch, to third on David Washington's single up the middle, and took home on a double steal.

Spikes reliever Jacob Booden (4-0) would put the first two Jamestown runners on in the bottom of the ninth, but escaped with an infield fly rule putout, a strikeout and a groundout to preserve the shutout win for State College.

Booden struck out five batters and gave up two hits over 2 2/3 innings of work to get credit for the victory. Starter Willy Paulino went five innings, allowing two hits and three walks while also striking out five for the Spikes.

Jammers starter Shane Carle was outstanding in the pitchers' duel, tossing seven shutout frames in the longest outing of his professional career. Carle allowed four hits and a walk while recording four strikeouts. Reliever Roberto Espinosa (1-2) drew the loss as he gave up both Spikes runs on two hits over two innings. Espinosa notched one strikeout.

Washington was the only Spike with multiple hits, while both Edwin Espinal and Elvis Escobar collected two hits for Jamestown. The Jammers turned double plays in each of the first three innings, but stranded ten runners on base on the night.

Saturday, the Spikes seek to tie the Jammers for the Pinckney Division lead as they face Jamestown at 7:05 p.m. at Russell Diethrick Park. State College will have right-hander Nick Petree (1-1) on the hill. Petree holds a 0.97 ERA on the season and faces the Jammers for the first time this season. Jamestown will go with right-hander Isaac Sanchez (1-0).

After the excursion to Jamestown, the Spikes return home on Sunday for a jam-packed evening of events to kick off a two-game set with the Batavia Muckdogs (Miami Marlins). The Spikes and Muckdogs start at 6:05 p.m., and fans will be sure to enjoy the antics of Team GhostRiders as the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo makes its return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, presented by NEWSRADIO 103. The tandems of monkeys and dogs will perform between-inning skits during the game, with the grand finale after the game.

Plus, the skies will light up after the game with a fantastic FIREWORKS display on a Family Fireworks Funday, presented by First National Bank.

In addition, the Spikes will hold the first "Battle of the Shields" Softball Game between local police and firefighters, and including EMT personnel from around the area, on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. Admission to the game is free with a ticket to Sunday's game, which will also be First Responders Night, as Centre Communications and the Centre Daily Times present the tribute to our local heroes.

It's also Clearfield County Night, presented by Penn State-DuBois and WCPA AM 900, with a Pre-Game Catch on the Field and Post-Game Kids Run the Bases, presented by Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.

Tickets for Sunday's game, as well all ten games remaining on the Spikes' 2013 home 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.

Fans can also purchase Four-Game Playoff Packs in anticipation of potential Spikes' home games during the 2013 NYPL playoffs starting on Wednesday, August 21 at 9 a.m. Four-Game Playoff Packs start as low as just $16 per seat and include a $2 per game savings off the single-game price. In addition, each seat purchased as part of a Four-Game Playoff Pack will come with a free, limited-edition 2013 Spikes playoff t-shirt while supplies last.

Four-Game Playoff Packs will also be able to be purchased at the Spikes Box Office by calling(814) 272-1711 or by visiting in person. Fans can also reserve their Playoff Packs online at State College Spikes.com. 

Catch all of the action on Saturday 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 Russell Diethrick Park. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.