CURRY SMASHES SIXTH HOMER, BUT MUCKDOGS DOWN SPIKES, 10-6
STATE COLLEGE – The State College Spikes, behind Matt Curry’s sixth home run of the season and a furious comeback attempt, came close but ultimately fell to the Batavia Muckdogs, 10-6 on Saturday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Curry’s blast over the right field wall led off the second inning and brought State College (32-35) within a 3-1 margin after Batavia (39-27) took the early lead. The Muckdogs added a three-run homer from catcher Audry Perez in the fourth inning to extend their advantage before the Spikes started to surge.
Walker Gourley and Drew Maggi started the scoring burst by each knocking in a run in the fifth for State College. In the sixth, each of the first six Spikes reached base off reliever Matt North, and Pat Irvine finished off the spate with a two-run single to make it 8-6. However, the Muckdogs countered with a final pair of runs in the ninth inning to put the game out of reach.
Chase Lyles and Curry each produced multiple hits in the game for State College, with Curry adding a double to his round-tripper. The TCU alum is now hitting .436 this season when leading off an inning.
Spikes starter Tyler Waldron (4-6) took the loss after allowing seven runs, a season high, on nine hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings. Waldron also struck out two. Jhonathan Ramos pitched two shutout innings of relief for State College, lowering his ERA to 1.62.
Justin Edwards (4-4) started and earned the win for Batavia after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five over five innings.
Muckdogs first baseman Victor Sanchez went 3-for-4 and set a Medlar Field at Lubrano Park record by reaching base nine straight times in a series, stretching back to Friday’s game.
Sunday, the Spikes and Muckdogs meet again in a new location, as Dwyer Stadium in Batavia will be the site for the first game of a three-game series. The 7:05 p.m. matchup will feature State College left-hander Zack Dodson (2-4) on the mound against Batavia right-hander Zach Russell (1-3).
Fans can catch all of the action via the Spikes Radio Network and flagship station 95.3 FM 3WZ starting at 6:50 p.m. with the Spikes GameDay Show live from Dwyer Stadium.
The Spikes’ radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the “Listen Live” link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by 95.3 FM 3WZ.
