Spikes Suffer Large Setback at Home

Last night, the State College Spikes lost just their second home game in as many as 10 this season, falling 10-2 to the Williamsport Crosscutters. Here’s how it happened:

PLAYING FROM BEHIND

After two scoreless innings from both sides, the Crosscutters struck first with 3 runs in 3 innings, two of which were from defensive blunders (defensive error, wild pitch). The Spikes didn’t score until the bottom of the 6th inning off of a Deniel Ortiz RBI double. The nail in the coffin was when the Crosscutters put up 7 combined runs in the 7th and 8th inning.

POOR BULLPEN PLAY

Landon O’Donnell came into the game for the Spikes and went 1-2-3 in the top of the 6th inning. After allowing a bases loaded situation in the top of the 7th inning, however, he was taken out for Hunter Alberini, who immediately gave up those runs. The top of the 8th inning wasn’t much better, as he stayed in the game to allow 2 more runs.

ORTIZ SHINES IN FINALE

Deniel Ortiz said goodbye to Happy Valley after a 2-for-5 performance where he picked up an RBI double. A member of the third-base “Deniel Ortiz Fan Club” was gifted his bat before leaving the field one last time. Now heading back to Boston ahead of the MLB Draft, he could definitely say that he made an impact with the Spikes that won’t soon be forgotten.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

DH Maguire Holbrook, Crosscutters

• 3-for-5, 2 R, 5 RBI, 1 XBH

PITCHER OF THE GAME

RHP Alex Clemons

• 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 SO, 2 BB, 0 ER

PITCHING DECISIONS

W: RHP Luke Johnson, Crosscutters (2-0)

L: LHP Jamie Hitt, Spikes (0-1)

NEXT GAME

The Spikes travel to take on the Crosscutters in Williamsport on Independence Day. If you can’t make it to Journey Bank Ballpark, you can visit www.mlbdraftleague.com/live-streams for streaming info.