By Tom Copain
Collegian Staff Writer
Wednesday night, the State College Spikes were in the thick of the New York-Penn League wild-card race after a streak of four wins in five games.
But 24 hours later, the Spikes’ playoff hopes took a big hit after a Kyle Jensen walk-off homer gave the Jamestown Jammers (28-38) a 3-2 11-inning win that finished off a doubleheader sweep of the Spikes.
via Jamestown takes two from Spikes in double dip – The Daily Collegian Online .
Guy Cipriano – gciprian@centredaily.com
UNIVERSITY PARK — That cushy lead State College Spikes leadoff hitter Brock Holt helped build meant he didn’t stay on the field for the ending.
Holt
So Holt watched Friday’s final four innings from the dugout, a comfortable spot to revel in a rare feat.
But he rested without discussion of his accomplishment.
Holt never realized until after Friday’s 8-0 victory over Brooklyn before a Medlar Field at Lubrano Park-record 5,708 fans he had a hit in five consecutive innings.
via Holt’s streak fuels Spikes’ win | Penn State News | Sports – Centre Daily Times.
Guy Cipriano – gciprian@centredaily.com
UNIVERSITY PARK — Two realities might prevent serious playoff talk from extending into September.
CDT/Michelle Bixby
Spikes’ Justin Byler receives the ball as Brooklyn’s Luis Rivera slides back into first during the Brooklyn at Spikes game Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009. CDT/Michelle Bixby
The State College Spikes are 0-23 when trailing after six innings. Their record is 7-16 against non-Pinckney Division opponents.
Both numbers almost looked better today.
The offense went from unproductive to frantic during the ninth inning of Thursday’s 4-3 loss to Brooklyn at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
via Spikes’ comeback falls short | Penn State News | Sports – Centre Daily Times.
By Audrey Snyder
Collegian Staff Writer
Stepping up to the plate with two outs, Brock Holt just wanted to drive in a run.
But when the 1-0 pitch arrived, Holt sent it over the center field wall and helped lead the Spikes to what manager Gary Robinson said was the team’s biggest comeback of the season.
The shortstop’s two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth inning gave the Spikes their first lead of the game after the team trailed by as many as four runs and energized the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park crowd. The homer helped the State College Spikes (27-25) reestablish the momentum from the visiting Oneonta Tigers (27-22) and propelled the Spikes to a 9-4 victory.
via Holt’s heroics lead to victory – The Daily Collegian Online .
By Tom Copain
Collegian Staff Writer
Right before the bottom of the fifth inning started Tuesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” blared over the loudspeakers.
It may not have directly motivated the Spikes’ offense, but something clicked in that inning. The Spikes scored four times in the bottom of the fifth to erase a four-run deficit and jumpstart a 9-4 comeback victory over the Oneonta Tigers.
via Four-run rally spikes comeback – The Daily Collegian Online .
FISHKILL, N.Y. — State College managed just three hits as the Spikes fell 4-2 against Hudson Valley in New York- York Penn League baseball action Saturday.
Hudson Valley’s Alexander Colome improved to 5-1 on the season, striking out seven and walking four in 51/ 3 innings against the third-place Spikes (25-25), who fell seven games behind Mahoning Valley and four behind Williamsport in the Pinckney Division.
via Renegades snatch series’ second game | Penn State News | Sports – Centre Daily Times.
Hudson Valley triumphs in tight game
BY SEAN T. MCMANN • POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL • AUGUST 9, 2009
FISHKILL — Just moments before Saturday’s first pitch, manager Brady Williams gathered his Hudson Valley Renegades for some last-minute instructions.
“Right before the game, Brady called us all over after stretching and said, ‘We’re going to mix some stuff up today. We’re going to try to do some things we haven’t normally done in the past,’ ” center fielder Dustin Biell recalled.
A hit-and-run. Perfectly placed bunts. Even a suicide squeeze play.
It all worked this night, as the home team snapped its four-game losing skid by beating the State College Spikes, 4-2, at Dutchess Stadium.
via ‘Gades snap skid, win at home | PoughkeepsieJournal.com | Poughkeepsie Journal.
Saturday, Aug 8, 2009 @11:29pm EST
WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY—The Hudson Valley Renegades were able to come from behind and hang on, topping the State College Spikes, 4-2, at Dutchess Stadium on Saturday night.
After State College (25-25) took the lead in the second inning on a Pat Irvine triple and an RBI groundout by Butch Biela, Hudson Valley (25-25) scored two runs on Tyler Bortnick’s double in the third. The Renegades would then extend their lead to 3-1 in the fifth inning, and while the Spikes drew back within a run on a Justin Byler RBI single in the sixth, they got no closer. Hudson Valley pushed home another run in the eighth on a successful suicide squeeze bunt by Bortnick to provide the final margin.
