STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Ricardo Bautista smashed a two-run homer to give the State College Spikes their first scoring of the 2017 season, but it was not enough as the Williamsport Crosscutters took a 9-2 decision on Opening Night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Monday.
(Photo: Ricardo Bautista. Photo courtesy of State College Spikes)
Bautista’s long ball to the right field bleachers in the seventh was his third home run with the Spikes (0-1) after a pair during the club’s 2016 New York-Penn League championship season.
Newcomer Dennis Ortega contributed two hits for State College.
Williamsport (1-0) used power hitting of its own to take the lead early. A Jhailyn Ortiz RBI double in the third followed Cole Stobbe’s solo home run to left on the first pitch of the second inning. One batter after Ortiz, Greg Pickett drove a two-run shot over the right-center field wall to increase the Crosscutters’ lead to 4-0.
Following a run-scoring single from Pickett in the sixth, Williamsport plated four runs in the eighth to finish the scoring. Jesus Henriquez drove in two of those runs with a double.
Spikes starter Sam Tewes (0-1) took the loss after yielding four runs on five hits and a walk over five innings of work. Tewes struck out four batters in his first start as a professional.
Kyle Young (1-0), a 6’10” left-hander, picked up the win with five scoreless innings on the mound for the Crosscutters. Young gave up two hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out six batters.
Steven Farinaro and Spencer Trayner, both members of the Spikes’ 2016 title team, finished out the game on the hill for State College.
Tuesday, the scene shifts to the refurbished BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field for the second game of the season-opening series between the Spikes and Crosscutters. State College will send left-hander Daniel Castano to the mound for the 7:05 p.m. matchup, while Williamsport will go with right-hander Gustavo Armas.
Following that game, the Spikes return home to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for a three-game series against the Batavia Muckdogs (Miami Marlins). All three games through Friday start at 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday, fans can get into the park with half-price Outfield Bleachers, then enjoy half-price craft beers from 6-8 p.m., as well as half-price medium sodas all game long, on Half-Craft Wednesday presented by 93.7 THE BUS. It’s also a State College Borough Water Authority Water Conservation Awareness Night and the first Winner Wednesday of the year, presented by the PA Lottery.
Thursday, bring your favorite pup to the ballpark for four-legged fun during the first Bark in the Park of the year, presented by Metzger Animal Hospital and NEWSRADIO 1390 WRSC. Fans can bring their dogs for plenty of canine-centric fun, with special tributes to our furry friends. Plus, 12-oz. domestic draft beers are just $1 apiece from 6-8 p.m. on the first $1 Beer Thursday of the year, presented by BIG Froggy 101.
The series finishes off with Friday’s Championship Celebration Night, presented by First National Bank. Fans can join the Spikes in paying homage to the 2016 NYPL championship team with a special trophy presentation, and the first 500 fans will share in the championship spoils with their very own NYPL Championship Replica Ring. After the game, the skies will light up with FIREWORKS presented by Fullington Bus Company on Clearfield County Night.
