AUBURN, N.Y. – Scott Hurst became just the second player in State College Spikes history to record back-to-back four-hit games, but the Auburn Doubledays came back to beat the Spikes, 5-3, on Sunday afternoon at Falcon Park.
Hurst is now 10-for-11 at the plate over his last 11 at-bats stretching back to Friday night, including his game-winning homer in the 15th on that evening. The Spikes (30-28) outfielder matched Jose Martinez, who produced four-hit games on July 17-18, 2016.
State College took a 3-2 lead in the sixth when Wood Myers doubled in the tying run and J.D. Crowe singled him in with the go-ahead run. However, Auburn (23-33) put up three runs in the eighth, all with two outs, to take the advantage for good. Kameron Esthay and Jake Scudder provided the run-scoring hits, with a wild pitch giving the Doubledays an insurance run.
Omar Meregildo smashed a two-run homer, his seventh of the season, to left field in the second to give Auburn the opening lead.
Spikes starter Andrew Summerville delivered a quality start, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk over 6 1/3 innings. Summerville also recorded five strikeouts on the game.
Jason Zgardowski (0-2) took the loss after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over 1 1/3 innings. Zgardowski notched one strikeout in the effort.
Auburn reliever Jared Brasher (1-0) picked up the win with two scoreless innings. Brasher allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two batters.
The Doubledays took the victory despite committing four errors, matching the most for a Spikes opponent in a game this season.
Monday, State College finishes its six-game road trip with the finale of a three-game series against Auburn at Falcon Park. Right-hander Johan Oviedo (1-1), who retired 18 of the first 19 batters he faced in his last start on Wednesday, gets the ball for the Spikes. Auburn will go with left-hander Yonathan Ramirez (3-3) on the mound.
Following the series in Auburn, the Spikes will return home to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for a six-game homestand from August 22-27. The West Virginia Black Bears (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Williamsport Crosscutters (Philadelphia Phillies) will serve as the opposition for three games apiece.
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