UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Bryce Denton doubled in his first run with the State College Spikes, but 18 Batavia Muckdogs hits were too much for the Spikes to overcome in dropping a 9-4 decision at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Wednesday night.
(Photo: Bryce Denton. Photo courtesy of State College Spikes)
State College (1-2) fell behind 8-0 going into the bottom of the third inning but scratched out a run on Danny Martin’s single in the third. Denton’s two-base hit to left in the seventh, which was mere feet away from a home run, also kept the Spike’s hopes alive. State College produced a late flurry of its own, scoring two runs and putting a pair of runners on base with one out before eventually finishing the game.
However, Batavia (3-0) used a multi-pronged attack to become the first team in the New York-Penn League to reach three wins. Jhonny Santos went 4-for-5 with two doubles, while Zach Daly finished a home run shy of the cycle and drove in two runs as part of a 3-for-5 night. Marcos Rivera also delivered three hits for the Muckdogs.
Spikes starter Jonathon Mulford (0-1) took the loss in his debut with the club. Mulford gave up eight runs on 12 hits, two walks and a hit batsman over three innings. Mulford struck out one in the effort.
State College outfielder J.D. Crowe also produced his first professional hit, stolen base and run scored in the third inning. The Francis Marion University product was drafted in the 23rd round by the Cardinals in 2016 but did not sign until this past November.
Batavia starter Sam Perez allowed just one run on four hits while striking out five batters over four innings before leaving the mound. Reliever Manny Rodriguez (1-0) picked up the win with two shutout innings in which he gave up one hit while striking out one batter.
Thursday night, the Spikes and Muckdogs meet in the middle game of a three-game set at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Anthony Shew is set to make his first start of the season for State College, while Batavia goes with right-hander Hunter Wells.
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