Spikes take advantage of miscues for 8-4 win
BATAVIA, NY - The State College Spikes had an opportunistic offensive night against the Batavia Muckdogs on Thursday, turning four errors, two wild pitches and a passed ball into runs for an 8-4 win at Dwyer Stadium.
Danny Martin collected three hits and two doubles for the Spikes (4-3) as a five-run State College third broke a 3-3 tie and gave them a lead they would not relinquish. A wild pitch and a passed ball each allowed a run to score in the frame, with Martin's second double bringing in another run. Tommy Edman then reached base on a two-run error to finish the Spikes' scoring for the night.
State College took the lead in the first by scoring three runs when Batavia (0-7) catcher Pablo Garcia erred twice on the same play with the bases loaded.
Batavia produced early offense behind Isaiah White, who led off the first inning with a double and scored on Jhonny Santos's double. White then tripled in two runs in the second. Garcia finished off the scoring with an RBI single in the sixth.
Carson Cross (1-0) went 5 1/3 innings on the mound for the win. Cross yielded four runs on eight hits and a walk and struck out two batters. Dewin Perez then followed with three scoreless innings in which he walked four batters but struck out five. Greg Tomchick (1) recorded the last two outs, including one strikeout, for the save.
Batavia starter Ryan McKay (0-1) took the loss after giving up six runs, three of them earned, on three hits and four walks over 2 1/3 innings. McKay notched one strikeout in the effort.
The Spikes, who earned their first series victory on Thursday, now look for a series sweep as they complete the three-game set against the Muckdogs on Friday. The 7:05 p.m. matchup at Dwyer Stadium will feature right-hander Steven Farinaro (0-0) on the mound for State College against Batavia right-hander Jordan Holloway (0-0).
Following a six-game road trip to Batavia and West Virginia, the Spikes will return home on Tuesday, June 28 for a six-game homestand at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, starting with $2 Walking Taco Tuesday, presented by B94.5, along with Bellies and Baseball Night, presented by Pregnancy Resource Clinic.
The fun continues with the debut of Half-Craft Wednesday presented by 93.7 The BUS with half-price craft beers from 6-8 p.m. on June 29, and then the first Bark in the Park Night of the year, presented by Metzger Animal Hospital and NEWSRADIO 1390 WRSC, along with $1 Beer Thursday, presented by BIG Froggy 101 on Thursday, June 30.
Fullington Bus Company presents the action on Friday, July 1, when the first 1,000 fans will receive a Team Poster Giveaway, and all fans can participate in a Team Autograph Session with the players from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Then on Saturday, July 2, the first 1,000 fans will receive a Cowboy Monkey Rodeo Poster Giveaway, presented by Boyles Insurance, in preparation for the return of the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo on July 16.
The homestand then finishes with a bang on Sunday, July 3 as David "The Bullet" Smith, Jr. brings his record-breaking Human Cannonball act to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Best Line Powersports, home of the new Indian Motorcycle of State College, presents this one-of-a-kind event, with a post-game "Blast-Off." The night will also be capped off with the launch of a fantastic FIREWORKS show, presented by the PA Lottery.
Game times will be 7:05 p.m. for all nights except Sunday, July 3, when it will be a 6:05 p.m. start.
Tickets to these games, as well as every game remaining on the Spikes' 2016 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 download single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
Catch all of the action on Friday 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 Dwyer Stadium. 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.