Be-Ware of Spikes

State College first baseman drives in 7th run of series in Scrappers loss

Staff report

State College, Pa.

The State College Spikes scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on Tuesday night.

They didn’t wait long for another big inning.

The Spikes (8-4) scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning in Wednesday’s 8-4 win over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

State College first baseman Billy Ware drove in a run in the first and homered in the third, finishing with three RBIs. He has seven RBIs in the first two games of the series.

Liam Jenkins (0-1) allowed six runs — five earned — on six hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning for the Scrappers (7-5).

Spikes starter Michael Baird allowed one unearned run on two hits in four innings pitched.

Adrian Mardueno (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings of relief. He struck out four and allowing one hit.

Brayan Rocchio scored on an RBI groundout by Ray Delgado to cut the lead to 7-1 in the top of the fourth.

Jonatan Machado’s RBI single in the bottom of the fifth extended the Spikes’ lead to 8-1.

George Valera walked and pinch hitter Johnathan Rodriguez singled to start the seventh. Bryan Lavastida followed with a ground-rule double to left field to cut the deficit to 8-3.

Mahoning Valley loaded the bases later in the inning. Hector Villalobos relieved Rodard Avelino, but walked Korey Holland to force home a run.

However, Rocchio lined out to third base and Pedro Alfonseca was doubled off second base to end the inning.

The Scrappers got the first two runners on to lead off the eighth, but Jonathan Lopez grounded into a double play end the threat. They went down in order in the ninth.

The Scrappers lost their first series of the season. It’s also the first time this season Mahoning Valley lost back-to-back games.

The final game of the series will be today at 7:05 p.m.