Spikes fall twice against Muckdogs Saturday
BATAVIA, NY - The State College Spikes fell in both ends of a doubleheader on Saturday night at Dwyer Stadium, as the Batavia Muckdogs took a 3-1 decision in game one and scored four times in the bottom of the seventh inning to slip past the Spikes, 5-4, in game two.
State College (6-6) held a 4-1 lead headed into the seventh and final inning of the second game, but two hits, two walks and an error allowed Javier Lopez to bring in the winning runs with a single to center field.
The Spikes scored all four of their second-game runs in the fourth inning, taking advantage of five free passes and a hit batsman. Trevor Martin landed the key blow for State College with a two-run double.
Steven Ramos collected two hits and a run batted in during game two to help the Spikes' offensive cause.
In game one, Mason Katz, the Cardinals' fourth-round draft choice this year, delivered his first professional hit with a single to center field in his very first at-bat. Three of the Spikes' four hits in the first game went for extra bases, with David Washington contributing a pair of doubles. Jimmy Bosco also notched a two-base hit for State College.
Reliever Jeff Rauh (1-1) took the loss for State College in the back half of the twin bill, yielding both game-winning runs on two hits and two walks, one intentional. Rauh came on for Jhonny Polanco in the seventh and recorded one out before yielding the final hit.
Willy Paulino (0-1) took the loss in relief for the Spikes in game one after allowing a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Paulino yielded a total of three hits and a walk while striking out one over two innings of work.
Miguel Del Pozo (1-0) finished the game for Batavia (5-6) to earn the victory in the nightcap. Del Pozo gave up one hit over two innings while striking out four batters.
Muckdogs starter Helpi Reyes (1-1) got the win in game one, which was his second in five outings against the Spikes. Reyes, who spent the last two seasons pitching for the Marlins' New York-Penn League affiliate in Jamestown, allowed one run on three hits, one walk and a hit batsman over five innings. The right-hander also struck out three.
Casey McCarthy (2) pitched a perfect seventh inning to earn the save for the Muckdogs in the first game.
Avery Romero was the only Batavia batter with multiple hits in the opener, producing a double as part of a 2-for-3 game before adding a single in the second game. Lopez collected four runs batted in over the course of the doubleheader. Felix Munoz went 2-for-4 in game two, while Scott Carcaise reached base four times on a hit and three walks.
With the defeat, State College ensured itself of the first series loss of the year, and fell a half-game back of Jamestown and Williamsport in the Pinckney Division standings.
Sunday, the Spikes finish up their three-game set against the Muckdogs with a 1:05 p.m. afternoon matinee at Dwyer Stadium. Right-hander Chris Perry (1-0) will get the ball for State College after blanking Jamestown on two hits over seven innings on Monday, earning his first pro win in the process. Batavia will have either right-hander Justin Jackson (0-1) or right-hander Trevor Williams (0-0), the second-round draft pick of the Marlins this year, on the mound.
State College then returns home on Tuesday, July 2 to begin a stretch of seven home games in eight days as they take on Williamsport in a 7:05 p.m. matchup at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Medlar Field at Lubrano Park will once again go to the dogs that evening as fans are invited to bring their favorite four-legged friends out to the Spikes' first "Bark in the Park" Night of the season, presented by Metzger Animal Hospital, NEWSRADIO 103 and the Centre Daily Times. Fans will be able to watch the game with their canine pals in the Outfield Bleachers as well as on the concourse. All dogs must be leashed or crated, and owners will be asked to provide their dog's vaccination records. If no records are available, owners will be required to sign a liability waiver.
The first 500 dog owners at the park will also get a cool Spikes t-shirt presented by Metzger Animal Hospital on T-Shirt Tuesday, and 16 oz. Yuengling and Yuengling Light drafts will be available for just $2.50 during the Yuengling Happy Hour from 6-7 p.m.
After facing the Crosscutters at Historic Bowman Field on July 3, the Spikes will return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for their first July 4 home game in three years when they take on the Muckdogs at 1:00 p.m. The Fourth of July fun will include a Spikes Patriotic Hat Giveaway, presented by Vision Creative Solutions, to the first 1,000 fans age 12 and under to begin the Mini-Majors Head to Toe Giveaway Series.
The Spikes will also wear special patriotic hats on the field, which will be up for bids in a Hat-off-the-Head Auction throughout the game. All auction winners will receive their hats, autographed by the Spikes, immediately after the game, with proceeds benefiting local military hero Sgt. Adam Hartswick.
Tickets for the upcoming homestand, as well as every Spikes home game on the 2013 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 12:50 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 95.3 FM 3WZ.