Spikes drop 5-2 decision to Renegades
STATE COLLEGE, PA - Jake Stone delivered a two-run ground-rule double in the first inning for the State College Spikes, but the Hudson Valley Renegades scored three times in the eighth to take a 5-2 win in a matchup of two New York-Penn League division leaders.
The Spikes (32-17) remain out in front of Batavia and Williamsport by nine games in the NYPL Pinckney Division, and their magic number to clinch a division title is now 19. Hudson Valley (34-15) now leads State College by two games in the race for the league's best record, and sits atop the NYPL McNamara Division with an eight-game advantage over Brooklyn.
Stone's double in the opening frame gave him 27 runs batted in over 33 games played this season, and staked the Spikes to the game's first lead. However, the Renegades fought back with doubles from Alec Sole and Grant Kay to score a run in the third, and Wilmer Dominguez hit a sacrifice fly to right field in the fourth to tie the game.
Hudson Valley then produced four hits, two of them infield singles, and used a double steal to take the lead for good in the eighth. Coty Blanchard stole home for his league-leading 18th theft of the year as part of the double steal, part of a 4-for-5 night on the basepaths for Renegades runners. Hudson Valley is now 83-for-113 in stolen bases this year, the most steals for any team in the NYPL.
Spikes reliever Brandon Lee (1-2) took the loss after allowing all three eighth-inning runs on a total of seven hits over three innings of work. Lee also struck out two on the night. Starter Daniel Poncedeleon allowed just one run on three hits and a walk while striking out five over three innings, but unofficially tallied 66 pitches in the process.
Jacob Booden allowed a run on two hits and two walks while striking out three over three innings of middle relief for State College.
Renegades starter Enderson Franco (5-1) earned the win with seven innings of two-run ball. Franco yielded four hits and two walks while recording four strikeouts. Edgar Gomez (1) shut out the Spikes over the last two frames to get the save. Gomez gave up a hit and a walk while striking out two.
The two teams will meet again at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Sunday night at 6:05 p.m. for the middle game of their three-game series. State College is set to send right-hander Trey Nielsen (3-1) to the mound to face Hudson Valley right-hander Nolan Gannon (4-1).
Fans can help raise funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer with the annual Paint the Park Pink Night, presented by Mount Nittany Health as the Spikes take on Hudson Valley at 6:05 p.m. The first 1,000 fans of all ages through the gates when they open at 5:00 p.m. will receive a Pink Ribbon Drawstring Bag courtesy of Mount Nittany Health.
In addition, the Spikes will wear special Pink Ribbon Jerseys, which will then be up for bids during the game in a Jersey-off-the-Back Auction benefiting the Breast Care Center at Mount Nittany Medical Center through The Foundation for Mount Nittany Medical Center, with the winners receiving them on the field shortly after the final out of the night is made.
Fans can also enjoy a spectacular FIREWORKS display, presented by Mount Nittany Health and WHVL-TV, to cap off the night.
The Spikes are also partnering with Pink Zone at Penn State and the Penn State Lady Lions to promote the battle against breast cancer on Sunday. Lady Lions head coach Coquese Washington will throw out a ceremonial first pitch as part of the evening's activities, and members of the Lady Lions will sign autographs during the night.
Bring out the family for 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. All kids 12 and under will receive a voucher good for a free hot dog, chips, soda.
Plus, it's Philipsburg-Osceola Night, and Ike's Kids Zone in left field will be FREE all night long courtesy of Senator Jake Corman. It's also a Mount Nittany Health Healthy Home Runs Night, and kids can run the bases after the game thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.
In addition, Sgt. Bob will perform an acoustic musical set on the concourse before the game.
The homestand finishes up on Monday, August 4, with the Spikes' 7:05 p.m. matchup against Hudson Valley on Buck Night, presented by 95.3 FM 3WZ. $1 Outfield Bleacher seats, $1 hot dogs, $1 small sodas and $1 peanuts will all be available for fans. Plus, it's Princess Night at the park as well as Daddy-Daughter Date Night featuring a post-game dance.
Tickets for Sunday and Monday's games, as well as every Spikes home game on the 2014 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 5:35 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.
Spikes fans can also catch live coverage of Sunday's game against Hudson Valley on WHVL-TV beginning at 6 p.m. Steve Jones will have the call along with Jonathan Mayo of MiLB.com. Check out WHVL.com and find what channel WHVL is located at on your local cable system in Central PA.