Spikes stretch win, shutout streaks on Friday
BROOKLYN, NY - The State College Spikes extended their winning streak to seven games as Jacob Evans, Steven De La Cruz and Kender Villegas combined to post the Spikes' second straight shutout in a 9-0 win over the Brooklyn Cyclones on Friday night at MCU Park.
The Spikes (29-24) also maintained their hold on the lead in the New York-Penn League Wild Card race with the victory. State College is still a half-game in front of Lowell for the berth, with no other team closer than three games.
Evans (2-1) allowed just two hits and two walks over a career-long six innings for the win. The right-hander also recorded five strikeouts in his second professional start, and retired ten straight batters at one point. De La Cruz took over in the seventh and yielded two hits and a walk while striking out two batters over two innings. Villegas then finished the game with two strikeouts in a hitless ninth.
State College posted back-to-back shutouts for the second time this season, following a pair of blankings at Mahoning Valley on June 26 and 27.
The Spikes' trio of hurlers got plenty of support from the offense, which took advantage of Brooklyn (25-28) mistakes to helped set up several big hits. Craig Aikin started the game with a double and scored on a passed ball to give State College its first run. The Spikes then extended their advantage to 2-0 on an RBI single by Cole Lankford, and Ronnierd Garcia doubled in two more runs in the sixth.
State College then took advantage of four walks in the seventh and got a two-run double from Jhohan Acevedo to break the game wide open. In the eighth, Acevedo capped the scoring with an RBI single for his third hit of the game.
Lankford brought in a total of three runs, while Jose Godoy drew three of the 11 walks taken by the Spikes in the game. Thomas Spitz also contributed a pair of hits.
Brooklyn starter Eddie Villasmil (0-1) took the loss after allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits and two walks over five innings. Villasmil struck out one batter in the effort.
The victory allowed the Spikes to complete their first ever sweep of the Cyclones at MCU Park.
Saturday, the Spikes return home to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to start a two-game series against the West Virginia Black Bears (Pittsburgh Pirates) with a 7:05 p.m. matchup. State College will have right-hander Jorge Rodriguez (4-2), whose 2.49 ERA is the third-best in the NYPL, on the mound. West Virginia is slated to go with right-hander Seth McGarry (1-2).
Fans will be thrilled by the return of Tim "Wild Thang" Lepard and Team GhostRiders with the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo. Penn State Federal Credit Union presents all of the fun as the one-of-a-kind show features monkeys, dogs and sheep in an unforgettably entertaining experience followed by a fantastic FIREWORKS display.
It's also a night for winners, as every fan is guaranteed to be a winner on Scratch n' Win Saturday, presented by P.J. Harrigan's. Plus, one lucky win will win the chance to play Lion Country Kia Plinko on the field for a brand new Kia and other great prizes.
In addition, every customer at the Nuts For You concessions stand behind home plate will be entered for the chance to win a $1,000 Sheetz gift card. Kids 12 and under can also run the bases after the game thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.
Sunday, the skies over Happy Valley will light up like never before with the Pyro Musical FIREWORKS, presented by First National Bank, after the 6:05 p.m. matchup against West Virginia. It's also Star Wars Night at the ballpark, and the Spikes will celebrate the history and heritage of the seat of Centre County with Bellefonte Community Night, presented by Swartz Fire & Safety.
Tickets for both weekend home games, as well as every date remaining on the Spikes' 10th Season 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 Hershey Medical Group, 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 the club's flagship radio home, 95.3 FM 3WZ, and on the 3WZ mobile apps, available on Google Play and the App Store.