Spikes dealt 6-1 defeat by Doubledays

AUBURN, NY - Johan Oviedo went a career-long 7 1/3 innings on the mound, but the State College Spikes were eclipsed by the Auburn Doubledays, 6-1, on Monday night at Falcon Park.
Oviedo (1-2) yielded just two runs before leaving the mound in the eighth, but was charged with four runs on six hits and four walks while striking out five batters. The 19-year-old Cuban right-hander has now gone seven innings or more in each of his last two starts after not reaching the seventh in any of his first four outings for State College (30-29).

The Spikes took the opening lead when Scott Hurst , who was named New York-Penn League Player of the Week for August 14-20 earlier in the day, tripled in the first and scored on Yariel Gonzalez 's sacrifice fly. Hurst finished the series 9-for-10 at the plate with a walk.
Auburn (24-33) tied it up in the bottom of the first when Jake Scudder singled in a run. The Doubledays then took the lead when Austin Guibor doubled in Armond Upshaw in the fifth, and tacked on four runs in the eighth inning to put the game out of reach.
Doubledays starter Yonathan Ramirez (4-3) earned the win after allowing one run on four hits over six innings of work. Ramirez also struck out four batters.
Reliever Gabe Klobosits (5) allowed one walk and struck out one batters in recording a six-out save.
Hurst and Spikes manager Joe Kruzel were each ejected in the first inning after an apparent running catch made by Hurst in right-center field was ruled not to have occurred.
The loss enabled Auburn to claim a sweep of the three-game set, marking the first time the Spikes have been swept in a series this season.
Tuesday, the Spikes return home to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to start a six-game homestand with the opener of a three-game series against the West Virginia Black Bears (Pittsburgh Pirates). The 7:05 p.m. matchup will feature right-hander Jonathon Mulford (2-5) on the mound for State College, while West Virginia will send right-hander Gavin Wallace (2-2) to the hill.
The Spikes will enter the three-game series four games back of the first-place Black Bears in the NYPL Pinckney Division standings with 17 games remaining in the regular season. State College is now 3 ½ games back of Hudson Valley for the NYPL Wild Card lead as well.
Fans will enjoy a $2 Walking Taco Tuesday, presented by B94.5, with Walking Tacos available for $2 each at the Salsa stand located behind home plate all night long. Plus, it's Villain Night at the ballpark, with a salute to the bad guys and gals that battle our favorite superheroes throughout the evening.
In addition, college students across Central PA can enjoy even more value during every remaining Spikes home game with the College 3-2-1 Special. The College 3-2-1Special offers any college student presenting a valid student ID at ticket and concessions windows $3 off a seat in any ballpark section, excluding Pepsi Picnic Pavilion and suites, plus $2 medium sodas and $1 hot dogs all game long.
More highlights of the homestand will include a special appearance by Hall of Fame pro wrestler Hacksaw Jim Duggan, presented by Nuts For You and Comcast Spotlight, on Friday, August 25, a pair of Spike-tacular FIREWORKS shows, the return of $1 Beer Thursday presented by BIG Froggy 101, and Mifflin & Juniata County Night along with a Purple & Black Hat Giveaway presented by ServiceMaster by Holobinko & Merry Maids on Saturday, August 26.
Tickets to all six games from August 22-27, as well as all 11 games remaining on the Spikes' 2017 home schedule, are currently on sale through the Spikes Ticket 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 Tuesday 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.