Wick homers twice, but Spikes fall in extras
STATE COLLEGE, PA - Rowan Wick continued his impressive power display with a pair of home runs to increase his season total to nine, and the State College Spikes came back from a 7-2 deficit to force extra innings, but the Jamestown Jammers plated a run in the 12th inning to take an 8-7 victory on Wednesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Wick is now just one home run shy of the Spikes' (8-5) single-season record of 10, set in 2013 by David Washington. The North Vancouver, BC native slugged a two-run blast to the National Penn Bank Nook in left-center field in the second inning, then followed it with another two-run shot to right field in the sixth.
State College erased a five-run deficit thanks in part to Wick's second homer, which made it a 7-5 game. Jhohan Acevedo delivered a fifth inning RBI double, and Danny Diekroeger singled in a run in the seventh as well. The Spikes tied the game in the eighth when a Jamestown (5-8) error brought Alex De Leon in to score.
In the 12th, the Jammers scored what would prove to be the winning run when Erik Forgione reached base after being hit by a pitch, moved to third on a Carl Anderson double, and scored on a Jordan Luplow sacrifice fly.
Wick led a strong effort by the Spikes' offense. De Leon went 3-for-4 and was on base for each of Wick's two home runs. Diekroeger added a pair of hits to the State College attack.
Josh Lucas (0-1) took the loss in relief for the Spikes, yielding a run on two hits, two walks and a hit batsman over two innings of work. Lucas struck out one in the effort. Jacob Booden tossed three innings of scoreless relief from the eight to tenth frames, striking out three.
Reliever Adam Otamendi (1-0) picked up the win for Jamestown, hurling two shutout innings in which he yielded one hit and struck out three batters.
Taylor Gushue went 3-for-4 and knocked in two runs with a pair of doubles for Jamestown, while Kevin Krause's three-run homer in the fourth staked the Jammers to their largest lead of the night.
Anderson reached base four times on the evening, going 2-for-5 with a walk, a time hit by pitch, and two stolen bases.
The four hour, one minute game was the longest of the Spikes' 2014 season, and their longest since a four hour, 21 minute win at Batavia on July 29, 2013. State College has now dropped its last four home games.
Thursday, the Spikes begin a four-game series against the Williamsport Crosscutters (Philadelphia Phillies) with a 7:05 p.m. matchup at Susquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field. State College will send right-hander Fernando Baez (0-0) to the mound for his first start of the year after four relief appearances. Williamsport will go with right-hander Feliberto Sanchez (0-2) on the hill.
The Spikes will then return home on Friday night to start a big weekend at the ballpark. Fans can catch the return of Cowboy Monkey Rodeo on Friday, June 27, presented by PA Preferred and NEWSRADIO 103 WRSC. Sunday, June 29, fans can greet Alfonso Ribeiro, who played "Carlton" from "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," thanks to B94.5 and bid on the Spikes' "Fresh Prince"-inspired jerseys in a Jersey-off-the-Back Auction, presented by PSECU, to benefit Children's Miracle Network.
Plus, the skies over Central PA will light up with two fantastic post-game FIREWORKS shows this weekend, with a show on Friday the 27th presented by Rex Energy and another on Sunday the 29th presented by PSECU.
Friday's game starts at 7:05 p.m., while Sunday's begins at 6:05 p.m.
Spikes fans can also enjoy the Daily Fan Value Promotions, including the debut of Kids Day, presented by First National Bank, on Sunday. Kids can eat and play free on Sunday thanks to Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, plus run the bases after the game thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc. Ike's Kids Zone in left field will also be free for kids all game long thanks to Senator Jake Corman.
In addition, Spikes fans can save money on a 4 for $44 Friday, presented by TGI Friday's and MAJIC 99.
Tickets for this weekend's games, as well as every game on the Spikes' 2014 home schedule, 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 Susquehanna Bank Park at Historic Bowman Field. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ, and on the 3WZ mobile apps, available on Google Play and the App Store.