Spikes sweep Scrappers

Staff report

STATE COLLEGE, PA.

Three early runs helped the State College Spikes earn a three-game sweep of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

In Thursday’s 3-1 loss, the Scrappers (7-6) scored their run in the sixth inning. With two outs, Johnathan Rodriguez was hit by a pitch then scored on Billy Wilson’s double.

In the ninth inning, the Scrappers had the potential tying run at second base. After Wilson‘s bunt single, Henderson De Oleo walked. Eric Rodriguez advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt. The game ended with back-to-back strikeouts.

The Spikes (9-4) scored a run in each of the second, third and fourth innings.

Matt Duece brought home the first run with an RBI double.

Stanley Espinal drove in the second run with an RBI single.

The final run came on a solo homer by Dariel Gomez.

Matt Turner (0-2) started and took the loss. He went six innings and allowed three earned runs on six hits. Turner walked three and struck out one.

In two innings of relief, Luis Valdez walked one and struck out two.

The Scrappers will open a three-game series tonight against the Batavia Muckdogs at Eastwood Field in Niles. Ethan Hankins, the New York-Penn League’s Pitcher of the Week, will start.