AUBURN, N.Y. — The State College Spikes were able to win consecutive games for the first time on this young season. It just took one adventurous moment to achieve it.
Pat Irvine drove in the winning run in the 10th inning and the Spikes overcame what could have been a disastrous moment an inning before to score a 4-3 victory over Auburn on Saturday.
via Spikes manage series win | Penn State News | Sports – Centre Daily Times.
By MIKE McLAIN Tribune Chronicle
NILES As the Mahoning Valley Scrappers embarked upon their first road trip of the season, they left with a 5-1 record and enough quality pitching to allow manager Travis Fryman to sleep well.
The Scrappers finished the six-game homestand with a 2-1 loss to the State College Spikes Wednesday at Eastwood Field in a New York-Penn League game. Once again, the Scrappers received excellent efforts from a pitching staff that generally throws strikes and retires batters with regularity.
NILES, Ohio — Another night in Mahoning Valley meant another one-run game for the State College Spikes, and this time they found themselves on the right side of a close encounter.
A quartet of pitchers allowed eight hits and walked just one as the Spikes ended their series against the Scrappers with a 2-1 victory Wednesday at Eastwood Field.
The game marked the Spikes’ fifth straight decided by one run. The Spikes are 2-3 in those games.
via Spikes turn tables on Scrappers | Penn State News | Sports – Centre Daily Times.
Mahoning Valley had several opportunities to score but couldn’t take advantage as its winning streak stopped at five games.
By JOHN KOVACH
Vindicator sports staff
NILES —The streak has ended.
Now, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers hope to regroup to start another one.
The Scrappers’ undefeated streak was snapped at five games Wednesday night, as the State College Spikes managed to eke out a 2-1 victory before 2,066 fans at Eastwood Field in a pitching and defensive struggle.
Pitching and defense highlighted this win as State College got strong performances from Tyler Cox (W), Diego Moreno (H), and Alan Knotts (S).
This year’s first round pick, Tony Sanchez, made his professional debut with the State College Spikes last night. He singled in two at-bats and had the game-winning RBI in the top of the 9th.
via Lincoln Promoted to AAA; Sanchez Debuts With Game-Winning RBI – Sandlot Swashbucklers.
By Guy Cipriano – gciprian@centredaily.com
WILLIAMSPORT — Tony Sanchez still has a long path to fulfill the expectations attached to being the fourth overall pick of a Major League Baseball Draft. Still, it’s hard to envision a more memorable start to a professional career. Sanchez hit a game-winning single with one out during the ninth inning to help the State College Spikes defeat the Williamsport Crosscutters 4-3 on Saturday at Bowman Field. The hit came in the second at-bat of Sanchez’s professional career and scored Jose Hernandez as the Spikes won a game they trailed 2-0 after five innings. The Spikes also won one night after suffering a 15-2 loss. “That was an awesome debut,” Sanchez said. “I just wanted to get a hit for the team and get a ‘W’ for us. The nerves were a little high and emotions were up there. I felt pretty good.” Sanchez replaced catcher Miguel Mendez in the bottom of the sixth. The Spikes took a 3-2 lead by recording four hits in the top of the inning. Williamsport quickly tied the game when Jeremy Barnes hit a one-out homer in the bottom of the inning.
Guy Cipriano gciprian@centredaily.com
UNIVERSITY PARK — The pitchers on the current State College Spikes roster should receive ample work during the season’s opening stages.
The Spikes only have 13 pitchers, a total that includes 2006 second-round draft pick Mike Felix, who joined the team Thursday. The team begins its season tonight against Williamsport at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
The number of pitchers might sound exorbitant. But the Pittsburgh Pirates place rigid restrictions on New York-Penn League pitchers, which quickly shrinks a bullpen.
via Pirates continue to protect pitchers | Penn State News | Sports – Centre Daily Times.
