UNIVERSITY PARK — Nobody said anything to State College Spikes center fielder Taylor Lewis as he entered the dugout after Wednesday’s top of the ninth against Batavia.
His teammates had a plan involving few words and instinctive actions.
Junior Sosa’s walk-off single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth scored Alex Fuselier as the Spikes defeated Batavia 4-3 on Wednesday.
Nobody appreciated Sosa’s dramatic swing more than Lewis. The 10th-round draft pick from the University of Maine misplayed a fly ball, allowing Reggie Williams to hit a two-run triple during the top of the inning.
The triple tied a game the Spikes controlled through 82/ 3 innings. Yet it didn’t alter moods.
“You could just feel it,” Lewis said. “There was nothing to be said. Everybody was on the top deck. We knew what we had to do. They picked us up and it was a great feeling to have.”
Fuselier induced a one-out walk and stole second base. Batavia shifted its outfielders in with two outs and Sosa lined Ethan Cole’s fastball over Williams’ head and into center field.
“There was no panic,” Spikes manager Kimera Bartee said. “The boys knew. Taylor has been there 10 times out of 10 and bailed us out of so many balls that were smoked. One play doesn’t go his way, and the boys knew he has picked us up. That’s real confidence in my book.”
Batavia’s David Medina and Philip Cerreto hit consecutive one-out singles off closer Emmanuel De Leon in the ninth. A fielder’s choice placed runners at the corner with two outs. Williams sent a line drive into shallow center field. Lewis charged the ball and attempted a diving catch. The ball missed Lewis and rolled toward the wall.
Medlar Field’s spacious outfield allowed Medina and Virgil Hill to score easily. Batavia manager Dan Bilardello nearly sent Williams home but flashed a last-second stop sign.
“I usually make that play,“ Lewis said. “Tonight, I just messed up.”
Lewis hit an RBI in the seventh to give the Spikes a two-run lead. The lead was built around a strong final start from Mike Jefferson. The left-hander ended his first professional season by allowing two hits in five innings.
“Outstanding job,” first baseman Alex Dickerson said. “He had them all off balance most of the game and the couldn’t really touch him.”
The outing contrasted Jefferson‘s first professional start. The 22nd-round draft choice from Louisiana Tech allowed five hits and six runs in 2/3 inning against Mahoning
Valley on June 26. Jefferson developed into a dependable starter as the season progressed and lasted five innings in each of his final four starts.
“I’m definitely learning the way pro ball works,” he said. “I’m getting better mechanically and trying to get better each time out there. I’m happy with the results, but there’s always work to do.”
Jefferson pitched with an early lead as Dickerson hit a long solo homer off Jose Almarante to right field during the bottom of the first. The Spikes added a run in the second when Rodarrick Jones walked and scored on Fuselier’s double to left field.
Almarante kept the Muckdogs (35-35) close by allowing six hits and three runs in seven innings. Jordan Cooper allowed one run in three relief innings for the Spikes (28-43).
The teams end their season series at 7:05 p.m. tonight. Nick Kingham (5-2, 2.32) makes his final 2011 start in the home finale. Kingham’s ERA ranks fourth in the New York-Penn League. Ryan Sheriff (0-1, 2.45) starts for the Muckdogs.
