Spikes score ten in third to thump Muckdogs

STATE COLLEGE, PA - The fireworks started early for Central PA on the Fourth of July as the State College Spikes plated ten runs in the third inning, including a grand slam by David Washington, on their way to a 13-2 shellacking of the Batavia Muckdogs on Thursday afternoon at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Washington's grand slam, the eighth in Spikes (10-7) history, was his first home run of the year and the key hit in State College's huge third. A grand total of 15 batters came to the plate in the frame, nine before an out was recorded, as the Spikes produced seven hits and took advantage of two errors, a walk and three hit batsmen. The double-digit inning broke the old team record of nine runs in a single stanza, set on August 12, 2007 in the first inning at Tri-City.

The Spikes' 13 runs also tied a team record for the most in a single home game, matching the mark first set on July 16, 2008 against Tri-City in a 13-0 win and matched in a 13-2 victory over Vermont on July 12, 2010.

Four State College players produced multiple hits. Steven Ramos went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and two runs batted in. Bruce Caldwell collected a pair of hits in the third and reached base four times. Cesar Valera also picked up two hits, including a double, to up his average to .367 and stay in the top ten in the New York-Penn League batting race.

Although the offense set the tempo, the Spikes also performed well on the mound to back it up defensively. Starter Andrew Pierce went a career-long 3 2/3 innings in his third pro appearance and sprayed four hits while striking out four. Willy Paulino (1-1) then came on for Pierce in the fourth and got the Spikes out of a bases-loaded situation with two outs. Paulino would go a total of 4 1/3 shutout innings and earn the win after allowing just one hit and two walks.

Batavia starter Helpi Reyes (1-2) took the loss after yielding seven of the Spikes' third inning runs, and exited the game after giving up Washington's round-tripper. Reyes allowed a total of five hits, two walks and hit two batsmen over two-plus innings while recording one strikeout.

The Muckdogs brief rally in the ninth consisted of Scott Carcaise's RBI triple to right-center field and a subsequent sacrifice fly. Avery Romero and Luis Ortiz each had multi-hit games for Batavia.

Friday, the Spikes and Muckdogs tangle again in the second game of a three-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, with first pitch set to fly at 7:05 p.m. State College will send Opening Night starter Juan Bautista (0-2) to the mound for his second straight appearance against Batavia. The Muckdogs are slated to go with left-hander Jarlin Garcia (0-1).

It's the first 4 for $44 Friday of the season, presented by T.G.I. Friday's and MAJIC 99. Fans can purchase four Diamond Club seats, four hot dogs and four small sodas for just $44 (a $63 value), with additional packages available for $11 apiece. Plus, the first 1,000 fans will receive a 2013 Spikes Team Poster, presented by Happy Valley Tours, and it's time for the first 50 Cent Wing Festival at the ballpark. Fans will enjoy 50 cent wings from the Flashpoint Grill behind section 103, with flavors including Buffalo, BBQ, Parmesan Garlic Ranch, and Liquid Plumber Super Hot.

Sgt. Bob Timney will also be on hand to peform a live acoustic set for fans as they enter the park, and it's Bud Light Happy Hour from 6-7 p.m., with 16-oz. Bud Light drafts available for $2.50 during that time. After the game, kids can run the bases thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.

Tickets for Friday's game, 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 Friday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, 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 95.3 FM 3WZ.