NILES, Ohio – Tommy Edman and Anthony Ray collected three hits apiece to lead a strong State College Spikes offensive effort, but the Spikes had to withstand a furious ninth-inning rally from the Mahoning Valley Scrappers to score an 8-6 victory on Thursday night at Eastwood Field.
The Spikes (47-25) stayed within percentage points of the Hudson Valley Renegades for the top see in the New York-Penn League playoffs with the win. State College is also one win shy of the high-water mark for single-season wins in franchise history, as both the 2013 and 2014 squads put up 48 victories.
Leading 8-2 going to the bottom of the ninth, the Spikes’ advantage dwindled with a Jorma Rodriguez two-run homer and Mitch Longo’s two-run double. Longo collected five hits in the game, including three infield singles, to become the second player after Auburn’s Nick Banks to produce a quintet of hits against the Spikes this season.
The Scrappers (35-36) put the tying run on second base in the ninth, but Eric Carter (8) forced a foulout to end the game.
Ray finished a home run shy of the cycle after tripling in the second, doubling in the fourth and singling in the sixth.
State College put up a three-spot in the opening frame with a sacrifice fly from Jeremy Martinez, a Ryan McCarvel double, and an RBI groundout from Ricardo Bautista. Edman then brought in Ray in the second with his sacrifice fly to go along with three singles.
The Spikes extended the lead in the fourth when Edman’s infield single plated Ray.
Mahoning Valley got a run back on a Gavin Collins single in the fifth, but Vince Jackson’s sacrifice fly combined with McCarvel’s bases-loaded walk in the seventh to stretch the Spikes’ lead to 7-1.
Todd Isaacs then produced a sacrifice fly in the eighth to plate a Scrappers run, and Mick Fennell’s single gave State College their 8-2 lead before Mahoning Valley’s rally.
Max Almonte (3-1) earned the win in relief with three scoreless innings of work. Almonte allowed two hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out four batters. Carter got the last two outs of the game for his eighth save in as many opportunities.
Mahoning Valley starter Brady Aiken (2-1), the first overall choice in the 2014 MLB Draft, took the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits and two walks. Aiken struck out four batters in the effort.
The Spikes and Scrappers play the middle game of their three-game series on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. State College will send right-hander Jordan Hicks (4-1) to the mound at Eastwood Field, while Mahoning Valley will counter with right-hander Shane Bieber (0-0).
Following the set in Mahoning Valley, the Spikes will return to Central PA on Sunday for the regular season home finale. One “LuCKy” fan is guaranteed to drive away from the ballpark in their own KIA at LuCKy’s KIA Giveaway as part of Fan Appreciation Night, presented by Lion Country Kia. The skies will also light up over Happy Valley after the 6:05 p.m. game against Williamsport, and kids can run the bases thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.
In addition, college students across Central PA can enjoy even more value during every remaining Spikes home game with the College 3-2-1 Special. The College 3-2-1 Special offers any college student presenting a valid student ID at ticket and concessions windows $3 Outfield Bleacher seats or $3 off seat in any other ballpark section, excluding Pepsi Picnic Pavilion and suites, plus $2 medium sodas and $1 hot dogs all game long.
Plus, in anticipation of as many as four potential September home playoff games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, Spikes Four-Game Playoff Packs are now available for purchase. Playoff Packs start as low as just $16 per seat and include a $4 per game savings off the single-game price. In addition, each seat purchased as part of a Four-Game Playoff Pack will come with a free, limited-edition Spikes Rally Towel while supplies last.
Fans can purchase Four-Game Playoff Packs by visiting the Spikes Ticket Office at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, or by calling (814) 272-1711 during Ticket Office hours (9 a.m. to end of game on game days Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to end of game on game days Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non-game days Monday-Friday).
Catch all of the action on Friday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Health, at 6:50 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Eastwood Field. 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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