GRANVILLE, W. Va.– Caleb Lopes delivered multiple hits for the second straight game, but the State College Spikes were blanked by the West Virginia Black Bears, 3-0, on Thursday night at Monongalia County Ballpark.
(Photo: Caleb Lopes. Photo courtesy of State College Spikes)
Lopes contributed two of the Spikes’ (29-26) six hits, including a bunt single. The West Georgia product has upped his on-base percentage to .413 on the season, and has five hits over his last three games.
Lucas Tancas powered the West Virginia (32-22) offense as he finished a triple shy of the cycle. Tancas doubled and scored the Black Bears’ first run in the second on Jose Barraza’s double. The first baseman then hit his second homer in as many nights, and fourth of the season, as he delivered a solo shot in the seventh.
Tancas added another RBI with a single in the sixth to close the scoring.
State College starter Jonathon Mulford (2-5) took the loss after yielding two runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings. Mulford struck out four batters in the effort.
West Virginia right-hander Gavin Wallace (2-2) earned the win after allowing three hits and a walk while striking out three over five innings. Joel Cesar (5) gave up a walk in the ninth but nothing more for the save.
The shutout loss was only the Spikes’ second this year. State College now falls four games back of West Virignia in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division race, and three games behind Aberdeen for the NYPL Wild Card lead.
Friday, the Spikes complete their three-game set with the Black Bears in a 7:05 p.m. matchup at Monongalia County Ballpark. NYPL All-Star left-hander Daniel Castano (7-2) gets the ball for State College, while right-hander Beau Sulser (2-3) is set to make the start for West Virginia.
Following the series in West Virginia, the Spikes will travel to Central New York to take on the Auburn Doubledays (Washington Nationals) in a three-game set through Monday before returning home to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for a six-game homestand from August 22-27.
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