Spikes fall despite strong bullpen effort
WILLIAMSPORT, PA - The State College Spikes tandem of Greg Tomchick and Jordan DeLorenzo held its own in a bullpen-led pitching effort, but the Williamsport Crosscutters put together just enough offense to edge the Spikes, 3-2, on Friday night at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field.
Despite the loss, the Spikes' (39-20) magic number to clinch their third division title in four seasons remains at 11. State College is now up on Williamsport (31-27) by 7 ½ games in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division, with 17 games remaining to be played on each team's regular season schedule.
Tomchick, who made his first start for State College since July 6, 2015, sailed through his first four innings of work before allowing a double to Evan Rogers in the fifth. Luis Espiritu then moved Rogers along to third with a one-out infield single.
That brought DeLorenzo (1-1) into the game, and Jesus Alastre's single off of the hurler's foot brought in the first Crosscutters run. Doug Martinelli then singled to left to tie the game, with a pair of errant throws bringing in the go-ahead run.
DeLorenzo was dominant after that, though, striking out seven batters and spraying a total of four hits over 3 2/3 innings, with the only run he allowed being unearned.
State College took the lead in the fourth after the first nine Spikes batters were retired in order. Ricardo Bautista drew a leadoff walk to start the frame, then moved to second on Andy Young's single. Jeremy Martinez, who produced three hits on Thursday against the Crosscutters, then provided a two-run double.
The Spikes threatened in the ninth as well with a one-out walk to Ryan McCarvel followed by a Danny Hudzina single and a wild pitch. However, Williamsport reliever Blake Quinn (2) struck out back-to-back hitters to end the game.
Quinn tossed four innings and allowed one hit and two walks while whiffing seven batters.
Crosscutters starter Cole Irvin (4-1) picked up the win after yielding two runs on three hits and a walk over five innings of work. Irvin recorded four strikeouts.
The Spikes now head to Ohio to start a three-game series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Cleveland Indians) with a 7:05 p.m. matchup at Eastwood Field on Saturday. Right-hander Bryan Dobzanski (4-5) gets the ball for State College, while Mahoning Valley will go with left-hander Juan Hillman (3-2), who earned a berth in the New York-Penn League All-Star Game.
Following the conclusion of the series against the Scrappers on Monday, the Spikes will return home on Tuesday for a three-game set against the Batavia Muckdogs.
Highlights of the trio of 7:05 p.m. games against the Muckdogs include Princess Night and Daddy-Daughter Date Night on a $2 Walking Taco Tuesday, presented by B94.5, as well as Half-Craft Wednesday, presented by 93.7 The BUS.
The homestand concludes with the return of Tim "Wild Thang" Lepard and Team GhostRiders for another Cowboy Monkey Rodeo on Thursday night. The one-of-kind act featuring monkeys riding dogs herding sheep will thrill fans of all ages, with the skies lighting up with a fantastic FIREWORKS show after the game. Fans of age can also enjoy $1 Beer Thursday, presented by BIG Froggy 101.
Tickets for all three games, as well as each of the seven dates remaining on the Spikes' 2016 home schedule, are currently on sale through the Spikes Ticket Office by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting in person. Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
Plus, in anticipation of as many as four potential September home playoff games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, Spikes Four-Game Playoff Packs are now available for purchase. Playoff Packs start as low as just $16 per seat and include a $4 per game savings off the single-game price. In addition, each seat purchased as part of a Four-Game Playoff Pack will come with a free, limited-edition Spikes Rally Towel while supplies last.
Fans can purchase Four-Game Playoff Packs by visiting the Spikes Ticket Office at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, or by calling (814) 272-1711 during Ticket Office hours (9 a.m. to end of game on game days Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to end of game on game days Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non-game days Monday-Friday).
Catch all of the action on Saturday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Health, at 6:50 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Eastwood Field. 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, Newsradio 1390 WRSC, as well as the TuneIn Radio app.