AUBURN, N.Y. – The State College Spikes were forced to delay the clinching of the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division title as Oliver Ortiz’s home run was the difference in the Spikes’ 2-0 loss to the Auburn Doubledays on Friday night at Falcon Park.
Despite the loss, the Spikes (43-23) were able to cut their magic number for their third division title in the last four seasons down to one as Williamsport lost to Brooklyn, 1-0. State College did fall out of the top spot in the league, though, as Hudson Valley’s win enabled them to edge in front of the Spikes by two percentage points.
Ortiz’s two-run homer to right field off Spikes starter Bryan Dobzanski (4-6) in the third inning gave Auburn (26-38) a lead it would not relinquish. Dobzanski recovered to produce seven quality innings on the mound, scattering 11 hits and two walks, but took the loss.
The Spikes were held in check offensively, as they were unable to put a runner past second base in collecting four hits and four walks on the night. Jeremy Martinez delivered a pair of singles and a walk to lead the way for State College.
Auburn starter McKenzie Mills (4-4) earned the victory after allowing two hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five innings. Kyle Simonds then yielded one hit and two walks while striking out three over three innings before Phil Morse (3) pitched a one-hit ninth for the save. Morse also recorded one strikeout.
Connor Jones finished the game for State College with a two-hit, shutout eighth.
Riley Drongesen and Mick Fennell had the other hits for the Spikes.
State College will now have the chance to clinch the Pinckney Division title on Saturday night in a 7:05 p.m. matchup against Auburn. Right-hander Jordan Hicks (3-1), the Cardinals’ 2015 supplemental third-round draft choice, gets the start for the Spikes. The Doubledays will go with right-hander A.J. Bogucki (0-4) on the mound.
The Spikes can also clinch a division title with a Williamsport loss to Brooklyn on Saturday.
Following the series in Auburn, the Spikes will come back home for a three-game series against the Aberdeen IronBirds (Baltimore Orioles) from Monday through Wednesday. Highlights of the three 7:05 p.m. games include Monday Buck Night, presented by 95.3 FM 3WZ, Tuesday’s Bark in the Park, presented by Metzger Animal Hospital and NEWSRADIO 1390 WRSC, and THON Night on a Half-Craft Wednesday, presented by 93.7 The BUS as The Meadows presents the game.
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 Saturday 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 Falcon 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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