AUBURN, N.Y. — Nick Kingham had another masterful outing on the mound for the State College Spikes.
Kingham (4-2) faced just one batter over the minimum during his five shutout innings of work, then got solid relief help as the Spikes dropped the Auburn Doubledays 6-1 Monday night at Falcon Park.
The loss halted a four-game losing streak and prevented a sweep by the New York-Penn League’s Pinckney Division leaders.
Only two batters reached base on Kingham — both on singles — as he struck out six and didn’t walk a batter. One Doubleday, Caleb Ramsey, was caught stealing in the first inning after one of those singles.
The right-hander from Las Vegas has allowed one earned run or fewer while pitching at least five innings in eight straight outings dating back to July 2 as he dropped his season ERA to 2.36.
Kingham got relief help from Kevin Kleis, Joan Montero and Josh Poytress to finish off the win. The trio combined to give up five hits and one run, striking out three without any walks.
The heart of the Spikes order had big nights at the plate, with Wes Freeman and Alex Dickerson each posting 3-for-5 days, with two doubles for Freeman and one for Dickerson. Both hitters have a dozen doubles for the season.
Ashley Ponce and Taylor Lewis each added a pair of singles as State College racked up a dozen hits.
The Spikes got their first two runs in the second inning when Lewis grounded into a fielder’s choice to score Derek Trent, and a Ponce single plated Lewis.
In the third, back-to-back doubles for Freeman and Dickerson and a Dan Gamache single brought home two more runs. Another run crossed in the fourth with Lewis racing home on a wild pitch.
A sixth-inning RBI double from Freeman brought home Lewis with the final run.
Ramsey and Jeremy Mayo each had two hits for the Doubledays and Angelberth Montilla added a double in the eighth, scoring on a Mayo single for their only run.
Manny Rodriguez (2-3) took the loss, allowing eight hits, two walks and five runs. In two previous outing against the Spikes, the Washington Nationals’ 2011 10th-round draft pick had allowed a total of only two runs.
The Spikes return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for a six-game homestand beginning at 7:05 p.m. today to start a three-game series with the Jamestown Jammers.
