Another tough loss, Spikes fall once again

By rscaife
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Updated: June 27, 2018

By BRIAN CARSON

UNIVERSITY PARK –It was the same old sad song for the State College Spikes Tuesday night against the Batavia Muckdogs at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Once again, the Spikes fell behind early, rallied late, but came up short as the Muckdogs sent State College to its sixth straight loss, handing them a 4-3 defeat.

Down 4-1 in the ninth, Andres Luna got things going for State College with a bunt base hit. Delvin Perez followed with a knock up the middle and a wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third. After two consecutive strikeouts by Batavia pitcher Jeremy Ovalle, Edwin Figuera came through for the Spikes when a two-run double to right plated Luna and Perez.

Any chance of a comeback ended when Ovalle fanned Nick Dunn to end the game and continue the tough luck for State College – who are now 1-4 in one-run games this season.

State College left seven stranded and missed some golden opportunities to score. The Spikes had runners on second and third with one out in the second, runners on first and second in the fifth, and a runner on second with one out in the seventh. None crossed home plate for that much-needed run.

“The biggest thing that’s hurting us right now is our inability to pitch over or hit over our mistakes,” State College manager Joe Kruzel said. “We have to get better at doing that if we want to turn this thing around.”

The Spikes (3-9) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Wood Myers doubled off the right-field fence, went to third on a throwing error by pitcher Alberto Guerrero, and later scored on an infield single by Luna.

The Muckdogs answered with two runs in the fourth. Jerar Encarnacion singled to left and Sean Reynolds tripled down the right-field line to plate Encarnacion. JD Osborne made it 2-1 with a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Reynolds.

Batavia (6-5) extended the lead to 4-1 with two runs in the eighth. Encarnacion reached on an error, Reynolds touched first on a broken-bat base hit, and Albert Guaimiro was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs. Demetrius Sims, who went 3-for-4 on the night, brought home both runners with a knock to right.

Guerrero (2-0) picked up the win for the Muckdogs – giving up one run in six innings on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks. Winston Nicacio (0-2) suffered the loss for the Spikes. He allowed two runs on six hits in six innings of work. Ovalle picked up his first save of the season for Batavia, despite giving up two runs in the ninth.

Both teams finished with nine hits. Luna, Myers, and Perez each went 2-for-4 for the Spikes, while Reynolds was 2-for-3 with a triple for the Muckdogs.

State College returns to action Thursday in a three-game road series with Williamsport. The Spikes opened the season with the Crosscutters and won the series 2-1.