Spikes Defeat Mahoning Valley

UNIVERSITY PARK – The State College Spikes scored early and held on late as they downed the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 3-1 on Wednesday night. Andrew Walker provided the offensive fire power for State College as his two run home run in the first gave the Spikes proved to be all the offense they would need. Walker’s home run was only the seventh round tripper of the season with runners on base for State College.

For the third straight game, the Spikes used the bottom of the first to open their scoring and once again it was Brian Friday setting the table. The former Rice Owl started the frame with a double and later came around to score on Andrew Walker’s second home run of the season to give the Spikes the early advantage. John Fitzpatrick followed the round tripper with a walk and then he was chased by a Keanon Simon RBI double to make the score 3-0 in favor of State College.

That is how the score would stay until the seventh inning, as spot starter Yoffri Martinez and Matt Foust combined to keep the Scrappers scoreless through six. The duo struggled with their control, walking five, but they managed to wiggle out of trouble on several occasions forcing Mahoning Valley to leave nine runners on base. Foust (3-6) got his first win in a month after scattering three hits over his four innings of work, walking two and striking out a pair.

In the seventh, Mahoning Valley was finally able to break through and cut into the Spikes lead. Morrisdale, PA native Adam White started the frame for the Scrappers with a triple and later came around to score on a throwing error by the Spikes catcher Andrew Walker to make it 3-1. Taylor Cameron, who allowed the unearned run, managed to work his way out of the inning allowing only the single run and leaving another runner stranded on third. Adam Simon followed Cameron and pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his sixth save of the year. 

The Spikes will look for their third straight win tomorrow evening when they take on the Scrappers in the middle game of three. Pirates’ hurler Zach Duke will make the start for the Spikes, as he works his way back to the Buccos after suffering an elbow injury earlier this year.  (Info Courtesy: State College Spikes)