Spikes errors lead to loss against Renegades

By rscaife
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Updated: August 4, 2014

UNIVERSITY PARK – In their second game of a potential postseason meeting, the State College Spikes were looking to even its series against a Hudson Valley team that have been sizzling hot as of late.

The game lived up to the hype as the two teams cruised through the first seven innings with just one run scored thanks to strong play of both defenses.

However, a wild pitch and a Spikes error were too much as the home team fell 2-0.

After five scoreless innings, the pitching on both sides of the mound was strong.

Spikes starter Trey Nielsen cruised through the first four innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five.

Offensively, the Spikes were able to post four hits in its first four at bats, leading up to the later innings.

a strong early effort, Nielsen ran into a little trouble in the top of the fifth, allowing a hit to Hunter Lockwood and a walk to speedster Zach Marberry. Neilsen ended his day with six strikeouts.

The Spikes brought submarine pitcher Tyler Bray to stomp out the fire. But a wild pitch by Bray allowed the Renegades’ first run to score.

In the bottom of the inning, the Spikes were threatening themselves, posting hits by Luis Cruz and Robelys Reyes. But the Spikes would stand both on base, keeping the Renegades in the lead at 1-0.

State College had a chance to score earlier in the game but Cruz was gunned down at home plate after running home on a single by Darren Seferina.

In the sixth, Hudson Valley went back to work as Casey Gillaspie walked while teammates Grant Kay and Jace Conrad followed with back-to-back single to load the bases with only one out.

A double play by the Spikes, Coty Blanchard stranded his teammates on base, keeping State College deficit at one.

Hudson Valley put another on the scoreboard in the eighth.

With a runner on, the Renegades Jake Conrad put down a picture perfect bunt and was picked up by Danny Diekroeger. Deikroeger’s throw sailed over the firstbaseman’s head and into rightfield that allowed Casy Gillaspie to score from first.

Trailing 2-0 in the eighth, the Spikes were still not able to get a rally started despite posting its ninth hit of the ball game.

Hoping for some runs in the bottom of the night, the Spikes sent its six, seven and eight batters to the plate. But a comeback wasn’t meant to be on this night as the team went away quietly, falling 2-0 after going down in order.