Stone's grand slam fuels Spikes' comeback win

STATE COLLEGE, PA - Jake Stone hit the tenth grand slam in State College Spikes history to key the Spikes' comeback from a four-run deficit to defeat the Jamestown Jammers, 11-9, in a Fourth of July afternoon contest on Friday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Stone's seventh-inning slam capped a six-run frame for the Spikes (14-7), who trailed the Jammers (8-13), 5-1, going into the sixth inning. Stone, a native of Wilmington, NC, became the ninth State College player to hit a grand slam. David Washington smashed two last year, including a slam on the Fourth of July.

The Spikes remain undefeated at home on the Fourth of July, posting their sixth win at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on the holiday in front of 4,231 fans.

Andrew Sohn also delivered a two-run single for the Spikes in the sixth inning, and Nick Thompson's two-run double gave State College its first lead of the game in the seventh. Thompson finished the game 3-for-5 with three runs batted in.

Alex De Leon collected four hits to help the Spikes' offensive cause as well, and started the game 4-for-4. De Leon came a flyout in the eighth shy of tying the State College single-game hits record.

Sohn and Darren Seferina both tripled for State College as well, with Seferina scoring an insurance run for the Spikes in the eighth inning.

The Spikes had to dodge a late Jamestown comeback attempt, as the Jammers responded to State College's six-run seventh with four runs of their own in the eighth. However, Josh Lucas (4) got the final out of the frame, and then pitched a one-hit ninth for his fourth save in as many opportunities.

Nick Lomascolo (1-0) picked up the win in relief after giving up one run on two hits while striking out one over the sixth and seventh innings.

Jamestown reliever Nicholas Neumann (1-1) took the loss after being tagged for all six Spikes runs in the seventh. Neumann went 1/3 of an inning, giving up six hits and a walk in the process.

Two faces familiar to Spikes fans were on the Jamestown side as well. 2011 Spike Daniel Gamache, who is with Jamestown on a rehab assignment from Advanced-A Bradenton, started for the Jammers at third base. Gamache also hit a grand slam for State College on August 27, 2011.

2009 Spikes pitcher Nate Baker also appeared for the Jammers on rehab assignment from Double-A Altoona. Baker was charged with all three of the Spikes' sixth-inning runs on three hits and a walk. The left-hander recorded both of his outs via strikeout.

Five different Jamestown players collected multiple hits, with Kevin Krause knocking in three runs and delivering a double.

Saturday, the Spikes and Jammers play the middle game of their three-game set at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The 7:05 p.m. matchup will feature left-hander Austin Gomber (0-1), the fourth-round draft choice of the Cardinals in 2014, on the mound for State College against Jamestown right-hander Marek Minarik (0-2).

The Spikes continue 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.

It's also a Scratch n' Win Saturday as well as a National Penn Bank Books & Baseball Night, with kids able to run the bases after the game thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.

Fans using their Penn State Alumni Association Credit Card can also receive a $3 ticket discount at the Box Office.

Sunday is Military Appreciation Night at the park, presented by Beer Belly's, with FIREWORKS after the 6:05 p.m. game against Jamestown presented by the PA Lottery and ESPN Radio 1450. Members of the military and their families presenting valid ID will receive complimentary free tickets to Sunday's game.

It's also a Kids Day at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, presented by First National Bank, with kids able to eat and play for free thanks to Dairy Queen Grill & Chill.

Plus, the Spikes' special "Stars & Stripes" caps worn on the Fourth of July will then be up for bids on Sunday in a Hat-off-the-Head Auction. Winning bidders for each of the Spikes' caps will receive them at the end of the game.

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday, 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 Saturday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, at 6:35 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. 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.