Pitcher's duel goes against Spikes in 1-0 loss

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Diego Cordero allowed just one run over 7 1/3 innings of work, but it was the only run of the game as the State College Spikes took a 1-0 loss to the Auburn Doubledays on Friday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Cordero (2-2) delivered his longest start for the Spikes (19-28), and his fourth in a row in which he went six innings or more while allowing three earned runs or less. The left-hander struck out two batters and picked off a runner.
However, Auburn (26-20) scored the lone run of the game in the seventh. Jamori Blash doubled to lead off the frame, then after a bunt moved him to third, he scored on Kyle Marinconz's single to right field.
State College put together its biggest threat in the sixth inning. After Justin Toerner was thrown out at second by right fielder and former major leaguer Moisés Sierra trying to stretch a single, Brady Whalen singled to right field for his third hit of the game.
Kevin Woodall, Jr. followed with a double to left field, but left fielder Pablo O'Connor's throw went to shortstop Jose Sanchez , who pegged Whalen at the plate to keep the game scoreless.
Whalen's three-hit night was his first with the Spikes. Woodall collected two doubles for State College as well.
Auburn starter Jackson Stoeckinger (1-1) earned the win with six scoreless innings in which he yielded seven hits while striking out six batters. Reliever Ryan Tapani (1), son of former major leaguer Kevin Tapani, allowed nothing over the last three frames for the save.
The Spikes will look to salvage the final game of the four-game set with the Doubledays on Saturday. Right-hander Chris Holba (2-1) gets the ball for State College in the 7:05 p.m. matchup at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Auburn is set to go with right-hander Francys Peguero (2-3).
Fans can break out the togas as PSECU presents all of the fun on Animal House Night at the ballpark. The Spikes will join in the spirit as well by wearing special State "College" Sweater Jerseys, which will go up for bids in a Jersey-off-the-Back Auction to benefit Children's Miracle Network.
Plus, the first 1,000 fans of all ages when gates open to the public at 6:00 p.m. can pledge their support as they receive State "College" Sweater Jerseys to resemble what the Spikes will wear on the field.
The night concludes with another Spike-tacular FIREWORKS show presented by PSECU.
It's also Bellefonte Community Night, presented by Swartz Fire & Safety, as the Spikes pay homage to the home of seven governors with plenty of tributes throughout the night, including a performance by the Bellefonte Cheerleaders. The fun is part of the Community Nights Series presented by CATA, and includes a FREE Kids Zone presented by Friends of Jake Corman.
After the game, kids can run the bases, and every fan will be a winner as each fan receives a scratch-off card with a great prize or discount on it with Scratch n' Win Saturday, presented by P.J. Harrigans and WOWY 97.1.
Tickets for Saturday's game, as well as the 2018 New York-Penn League All-Star Game presented by the Central PA Convention & Visitors Bureau, the 2018 NYPL All-Star Tailgate Gala presented by Reinhart Foodservice, and every game on the 2018 Spikes home schedule, are currently on sale through the Spikes Ticket Office.
Tickets can be purchased by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting the Ticket Office in person from 9 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non-game days Monday through Friday. Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
Catch all of the action on Saturday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics, 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 the club's flagship radio home, Newsradio 1390 WRSC, as well as the TuneIn Radio app.