UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Evan Mendoza celebrated his 21st birthday by collecting three hits and knocking in two runs to help the State College Spikes top the Auburn Doubledays, 7-1, on Wednesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
(Photo: Photo Evan Mendoza. Photo courtesy of State College Spikes)
Mendoza, the Cardinals’ 11th-round choice out of N.C. State in the 2017 MLB Draft, delivered an RBI double in the third as part of a four-run frame for the Spikes (5-4). The Sarasota, Fla., native then pushed a bunt single to third in the fifth inning, and followed with another run-scoring single in the seventh.
State College took advantage of Auburn (3-6) miscues to build its lead. A balk and wild pitch also scored runs in the third, with Ricardo Bautista’s RBI groundout finishing the inning’s scoring. Bautista would do the same in the seventh, and a Doubledays passed ball plated the final Spikes run in the eighth.
Spikes starter Anthony Shew (2-0) delivered another strong peformance, striking out eight batters over 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball in the win. Shew yielded five hits over 81 pitches, 52 of them for strikes.
Yhonathan Ramirez (1-1) started for Auburn and took the loss after giving up all four of State College’s runs in the third. Ramirez allowed three hits and three walks over three total innings, with one strikeout as well.
The victory was the Spikes’ third in a row at home after starting the year 0-2 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Thursday, the Spikes take on the Doubledays at 7:05 p.m. in the second game of a three-game set. State College will send right-hander Levi MaVorhis (0-0) to the mound to meet Auburn righty Jhonatan German (0-0).
Fans can enjoy another $1 Beer Thursday at the ballpark, presented by BIG Froggy 101. 12-ounce domestic draft beers will be available for just $1 apiece from 6-8 p.m.
Plus, it’s Healthy Home Runs Night, presented by Mount Nittany Health, as kids that participated in the Healthy Home Runs program during the school year will have the opportunity to be recognized on the field before the game. Fans of all ages will also enjoy another fun theme night with Minion Night at the ballpark.
The fun continues with the return of Bellies & Baseball Night with a 2016 NYPL Championship Fleece Blanket Giveaway presented by the Pregnancy Resource Clinic on Friday. Pregnant ladies and their supporters can enjoy a $3 Bullpen Box ticket offer by using the promo code “YOUMATTER” on State College Spikes.com or at the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Ticket Office.
Plus, expecting women using the promo code can throw out a first pitch at the game, local resource providers will be at the game to provide information on pregnancy, parenting and more, and craving stations will be at the ballpark just in case the urge strikes during the game. In addition, the Spikes will be featuring baby races, and any pregnant woman at Friday night’s game that goes into labor gets free Spikes season tickets for life.
The Batavia Muckdogs (Miami Marlins) then come to town for the second half of the homestand, featuring the Youth Baseball Clinic, presented by Penn State Health, on Saturday, July 1, the second Bark in the Park, presented by Metzger Animal Hospital and NEWSRADIO 1390 WRSC on Sunday, July 2, and the return of the Human Cannonball, presented by Happy 103, on Monday, July 3.
Tickets for each of the next five nights, as well as every game 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 Thursday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Health, 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.
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