Wiseman the Hero in Rubber Match Victory

STATE COLLEGE, PA - The Doubledays beat the State College Spikes 3-1 on the road Saturday night to take the series two games to one. The win also gave Auburn the season series victory over State College 5-4.

For the fourth straight game, the Doubledays took the lead in the first inning. After Darryl Florentino and Max Schrock grounded out, Kelvin Gutierrez singled to center and Rhett Wiseman walked to put runners on first and second with two outs. Anderson Franco then stepped in and knocked in Gutierrez with a single to center and the Doubledays led 1-0.

But it didn't take long for the Spikes to respond. In the bottom of the first with one out, Mike Pritchard tripled into right. The outfielder then scored easily from third when Leobaldo Pina grounded out to short to tie the game up at 1-1.

After the first, both offenses went quiet. Neither team put a runner in scoring position until the sixth inning. In the top of the inning, Florentino singled and Schrock walked to start the frame. Gutierrez moved them both over with a sacrifice bunt before Wiseman was intentionally walked to load the bases. Franco then grounded into a fielder's choice and Florentino was out at home. With two outs and the bases loaded, David Kerian grounded out to end the threat.

In the bottom of the sixth with one out, Craig Aikin singled and moved to second when Pritchard singled right after. Aikin was then out at third on a fielder's choice before Casey Grayson struck out to end the inning.

In the seventh, Auburn got runners to first and third with one out and stranded both. In the bottom of the inning, State College put runners on first and second with one out, but stranded both as well. 

The Doubledays left them loaded again in the eighth, but didn't do the same in the ninth. Still tied at one, Auburn loaded the bases on three singles and a fielder's choice. Wiseman then dug in and drove in two with a single to center to give the Doubledays a 3-1 lead.

Mariano Rivera III came out of the bullpen in the bottom of the ninth and gave up one hit, but that's it. The save was his fourth of his professional career in four opportunities. 

Maximo Valerio earned his first save with the Doubledays after the following line: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, and 2 K's. Luke Harrison took the loss for the Spikes after the following line: 1+ IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, and 2 K's.

The Doubledays host the Williamsport Crosscutters Sunday at 5:05 PM. Taylor Guilbeau (1-2, 4.39 ERA) gets the start for Auburn against Luke Leftwich (2-1, 3.03 ERA) for Williamsport.

Saturday's Particulars:
WP - Maximo Valerio (1-0)

LP - Luke Harrison (0-2)

SV - Mariano Rivera III (4)

HR - AUB: None, SC: None