Spikes crush Scrappers in Niles

Staff report

NILES

The State College Spikes jumped on Scrappers starter Jhonneyver Gutierrez for two runs in their first at-bat en route to Thursday’s 7-1 win at Eastwood Field.

In five innings, the Spikes (12-8) produced nine hits and four runs against Gutierrez (1-2).

Trailing 3-0 in the fourth inning, the Scrappers (11-9) scored their lone run. Raynel Delgado raced home on Johnathan Rodriguez’s RBI double.

Delgado and Rodriguez each had two hits as did Bryan Lavastida.

Donivan Williams led the Spikes’ offense with four hits and two RBIs.

Moises Castillo and Jonatan Machado each had three hits and scored twice.

Matt Duce’s two hits included a solo homer.

The win keeps the Spikes a half-a-game behind first-place Batavia (12-7) in the Pinckney Division. The Scrappers are a game-and-a-half behind.

The Scrappers and Spikes continue their three-game series tonight at 7:05. They’ll also play on Saturday.

Sunday, the Scrappers will open a three-game series against the Williamsport Crosscutters (4-16). After a quick trip to Brooklyn, N.Y., for a three-game series against the Cyclones, the Scrappers will return home for three games against Hudson Valley.