BATAVIA, N.Y. — One big blast by catcher Matt Skirving couldn’t help the State College Spikes overcome two big Batavia innings.
The Muckdogs scored four runs in the third and added two more in the seventh to edge the Spikes 6-5 on Tuesday at Dwyer Stadium.
The Spikes (27-43) lost despite receiving an eighth-inning grand slam from Skirving. The grand slam was the team’s second in the past week. Dan Gamache hit one during last Saturday’s victory against Williamsport.
Skirving is the seventh player in Spikes’ history to hit a grand slam. Three have come this season, with Alex Dickerson also hitting one at Jamestown on Aug. 8.
The Muckdogs held a 6-1 lead entering the eighth. Batavia’s big third inning featured five hits, including consecutive RBI singles by Vance Albitz and Garrett Wittels off Ryan Hafner. Hafner allowed seven hits and struck out three in five innings as he dropped to 2-6.
The Muckdogs (35-34) added four hits and scored twice in 12/ 3 innings against Cliff Archibald. Albitz went 3-
for-5 with a double to lead the Batavia offense.
Hector Hernandez allowed four hits and struck out seven in six innings to earn the victory. Hernandez, a starter, worked as a reliever so St. Louis Cardinals fifth-round draft pick Sam Gaviglio could make his professional debut in the first. Gaviglio pitched a perfect inning.
Skirving and Chris Lashmet had two hits each for the Spikes. Lashmet doubled twice off Hernandez. The Spikes held a 1-0 lead after Junior Sosa scored on Kirk Singer’s sacrifice fly in the third.
The four-game series between the teams moves to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park tonight. State College’s Mike Jefferson will face Jose Almarante. The teams end their season series Thursday.
