Anderson sets strikeout record in win vs. 'Cutters
STATE COLLEGE, PA - Will Anderson became the first State College Spikes pitcher ever to strike out 10 batters in a single game, and the Spikes won a battle of specialty jerseys over the Williamsport Crosscutters, 5-0, on Sunday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Anderson (1-1), the St. Louis Cardinals' 26th-round draft choice in 2013, went seven innings on the mound to begin State College's (11-6) shutout effort. The right-hander allowed just three hits during his time on the mound, and did not walk a batter in earning the victory. Anderson's 10 strikeouts broke the previous Spikes record of nine shared by eight different pitchers.
The Spikes, who were wearing their "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"-inspired jerseys for a Jersey-off-the-Back Auction presented by PSECU to benefit Children's Miracle Network, got Anderson a fresh start with a three-run first inning, then added one in the sixth and another in the seventh to complete the scoring in front of a home crowd of 4,829 fans.
Rowan Wick collected two more runs batted in with a single in the first to up his season total to 21. Wick ended the game 2-for-4 with a double to increase his batting average to a New York-Penn League-leading .407.
Danny Diekroeger drove in the final State College run and went 3-for-4 on the night. Darren Seferina scored a pair of runs, stole two bases and went 2-for-4 to aid the Spikes offense in his professional debut. Seferina was activated on Sunday after being selected by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Miami-Dade (FL) College.
Jacob Booden and Josh Lucas each recorded perfect innings, with Booden adding a strikeout, to finish off the Spikes' second shutout win of the year.
Williamsport (7-9) wore their "Ugly Christmas Sweater" jerseys for the game in what became known as the "#UniBattle." The Crosscutters, who were scheduled to wear the jerseys at home to benefit Toys for Tots on June 25 before that night's game was rained out in Williamsport, will wear those jerseys again on August 2 at home.
Alejandro Arteaga (1-2) took the loss, allowing all five Spikes runs on nine hits and a walk. Arteaga also struck out five over seven innings of work.
Fans also enjoyed the appearance of Alfonso Ribeiro, who played "Carlton" on the 1990's TV series "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Ribeiro met and greeted fans throughout the game, and also judged a "Carlton Dance Contest" in the opening inning.
The Spikes will now enjoy their first off day of the 2014 season on Monday before heading to Dwyer Stadium to start a three-game road series against the Batavia Muckdogs (Miami Marlins). State College will start left-hander Dewin Perez (1-0) in the first game of the series on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. Batavia's starter for the series opener has not yet been announced.
Friday, the Spikes return home to start a three-game series against the Jamestown Jammers (Pittsburgh Pirates) on the Fourth of July with a 1 p.m. afternoon start at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Fans will enjoy a Salute to America, Baseball and Apple Pie as they begin the holiday at the ballpark. It's also a 4 for $44 Friday, presented by TGI Fridays and MAJIC 99, with four Diamond Club seats, four hot dogs and four small sodas available for just $44, and additional packages available for $11 each.
Kids can run the bases after the game thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc., and the first 100 kids aged 12 and under to visit Geisinger Careworks locations at the Weis Plaza in Bellefonte or the Best Buy Plaza in State College will receive FREE tickets on a Geisinger Careworks Kids FREE Friday.
Fans will also enjoy an acoustic performance from Sgt. Bob, and fans using their Penn State Alumni Association Credit Card can receive a $3 ticket discount at the Box Office.
Friday begins a big Fourth of July Weekend at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, with a Spikes Hat Giveaway presented by Lion Country Kia to the first 1,000 fans, on Saturday, as well as the Lion Country Kia Dice Roll that will allow one fan to roll for the chance at a new Kia.
Sunday will be Military Appreciation Night at the park, presented by Beer Belly's, with FIREWORKS after the game presented by the PA Lottery and ESPN Radio 1450. It's also a Kids Day at the park, presented by First National Bank, with kids able to eat and play for free thanks to Dairy Queen Grill & Chill.
Tickets for all three games this Fourth of July Weekend, 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 Tuesday 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 Dwyer Stadium. 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.