Heredia Shines in Spikes Debut
By: Sara Eckert
Updated: June 21, 2012
STATE COLLEGE, PA - Luis Heredia, the 17-year-old Pirates pitching prospect making his State College Spikes debut, led the way for a dominant effort with four scoreless innings of work, and the Spikes excelled in each phase of the game to earn an 8-0 win over the Williamsport Crosscutters on Thursday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Heredia gave up leadoff walks in each of his first two innings, but recovered quickly and did not walk another batter while posting four strikeouts and allowing just one hit. The Mazatlan, Mexico native, who was rated by Baseball America as the fifth-best pitching prospect in the entire Pittsburgh Pirates system prior to the year, also elicited two inning-ending double plays.
The State College (2-2) relief corps backed up Heredia's efforts. Joan Montero (1-0), who picked up the win, followed Heredia with four strikeouts over two no-hit frames. Jordan Cooper allowed only one hit while striking out one over two innings, and Logan Pevny completed the shutout with a one-hit ninth and added the Spikes' tenth and final strikeout of the night.
Jordaneli Carvajal led a stellar offensive effort for State College by going 3-for-3 and drawing a pair of walks to reach base in every plate appearance. Carvajal also tripled twice to match a Spikes single-game record held by Elevys Gonzalez, Kirk Singer and Taylor Lewis, and added two runs batted in.
Barrett Barnes, the Pirates' supplemental first-round draft choice in 2012, broke through for not only his first professional hit, but a total of three in five at-bats to go with two runs batted in. D.J. Crumlich, who made his pro debut with the Spikes on Thursday, and Walker Gourley added multiple-hit games for the Spikes.
Williamsport (2-2) right-hander Jonathan Musser (0-1) started on the mound and took the loss. Musser allowed the Spikes' first three runs over two innings of work, yielding two hits and four walks while striking out one.
Crosscutters right fielder Brian Pointer was the only player to get a hit off of Heredia in his time on the mound, and went 2-for-4 in the game.
Friday, the Spikes start a three-game series with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Cleveland Indians). State College will have right-hander Clay Holmes (0-0) on the mound. Holmes, the Pirates' ninth-round pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, will be making his first appearance as a professional at any level. Holmes will be opposed by Mahoning Valley right-hander Robbie Aviles (0-0).
FROM SPIKES COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
Heredia gave up leadoff walks in each of his first two innings, but recovered quickly and did not walk another batter while posting four strikeouts and allowing just one hit. The Mazatlan, Mexico native, who was rated by Baseball America as the fifth-best pitching prospect in the entire Pittsburgh Pirates system prior to the year, also elicited two inning-ending double plays.
The State College (2-2) relief corps backed up Heredia's efforts. Joan Montero (1-0), who picked up the win, followed Heredia with four strikeouts over two no-hit frames. Jordan Cooper allowed only one hit while striking out one over two innings, and Logan Pevny completed the shutout with a one-hit ninth and added the Spikes' tenth and final strikeout of the night.
Jordaneli Carvajal led a stellar offensive effort for State College by going 3-for-3 and drawing a pair of walks to reach base in every plate appearance. Carvajal also tripled twice to match a Spikes single-game record held by Elevys Gonzalez, Kirk Singer and Taylor Lewis, and added two runs batted in.
Barrett Barnes, the Pirates' supplemental first-round draft choice in 2012, broke through for not only his first professional hit, but a total of three in five at-bats to go with two runs batted in. D.J. Crumlich, who made his pro debut with the Spikes on Thursday, and Walker Gourley added multiple-hit games for the Spikes.
Williamsport (2-2) right-hander Jonathan Musser (0-1) started on the mound and took the loss. Musser allowed the Spikes' first three runs over two innings of work, yielding two hits and four walks while striking out one.
Crosscutters right fielder Brian Pointer was the only player to get a hit off of Heredia in his time on the mound, and went 2-for-4 in the game.
Friday, the Spikes start a three-game series with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Cleveland Indians). State College will have right-hander Clay Holmes (0-0) on the mound. Holmes, the Pirates' ninth-round pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, will be making his first appearance as a professional at any level. Holmes will be opposed by Mahoning Valley right-hander Robbie Aviles (0-0).
FROM SPIKES COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
