WILLIAMSPORT — Matt Skirving provided all the offense needed to back up another solid pitching performance as the State College Spikes rallied past the Williamsport Crosscutters 3-2 Friday night.
Skirving’s bases-clearing double in the eighth inning accounted for all the Spikes’ runs as they began their final series of the season at Bowman Field.
Trent Stevenson tossed five solid innings, striking out a season-high five while allowing five hits, a run and a walk for a no-decision. Jesus Brito (1-2) pitched the next three innings, giving up a run and a hit while striking out one and earning the win. Josh Poytress struck out two of the three batters he faced for his second save of the season.
The Crosscutters’ Perci Garner struck out seven over six innings and gave up four hits and was in line for a win before Skirving’s knock off Austin Brough (2-3).
Skirving, Alex Dickerson and Alen Hanson each went 2-for-4 for State College. Dickerson and Dan Gamache each belted doubles, giving Dickerson 16 for the season.
Brock Stassi hit a solo homer in the fifth and Harold Martinez ripped an RBI double in the sixth for the Crosscutters.
The lead appeared solid until the eighth, when the Spikes got some two-out magic. Junior Sosa reached on an error, and Hanson and Dickerson each followed with singles to load the bases before Skirving lofted his 14th double of the season to right field.
The loss dropped Williamsport’s elimination number in both the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division and Wild Card races to one.
The teams meet again tonight at Bowman Field with State College right-hander Matt Benedict (4-3) facing Williamsport righty Colin Kleven (4-5).
Before the game, Spikes pitchers Nick Kingham and Cesar Lopez were transferred to the Gulf Coast League Pirates, while the team sent right-hander Logan Pevny and outfielder Willy Garcia to State College.
