Holt's streak fuels Spikes' win

Guy Cipriano

UNIVERSITY PARK — That cushy lead State College Spikes leadoff hitter Brock Holt helped build meant he didn't stay on the field for the ending.

Holt

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So Holt watched Friday’s final four innings from the dugout, a comfortable spot to revel in a rare feat.

But he rested without discussion of his accomplishment.

Holt never realized until after Friday’s 8-0 victory over Brooklyn before a Medlar Field at Lubrano Park-record 5,708 fans he had a hit in five consecutive innings.

Holt’s streak started during Thursday’s 4-3 loss.

“I guess I’m just stunned a little bit,” Holt said upon hearing of the feat. “I didn’t think about it. I knew I had one the first three innings of this game. I didn’t even think of (Thursday). That’s pretty cool.”

Holt served as a catalyst to the victory by smacking Brooklyn starter Jim Fuller’s second pitch to center field for a single. He scored the first of the Spikes’ five first-inning runs.

Holt doubled off the center-field wall and scored again in the second. He then one-hopped a ball over the left-field wall in the third.

Most of what Holt and his teammates accomplished Friday can be linked to the late stages of Thursday’s loss, when the Spikes (30-30) belted four hits en route to scoring three ninth-inning runs.

Holt hit a two-out bloop single to left field during the rally. Holt’s five-inning, five-hit streak started with a single to right field during Thursday’s eighth inning. It took 16 hits and two walks to allow Holt an opportunity to bat in five straight innings.

“Certainly, there’s a little luck involved,” manager Gary Robinson said. “I think most people create their own luck, but to get up five innings in a row you need some help. That means other people are getting on base and having good at-bats.”

Holt had hits off four different pitchers — Matias Carrillo and Michael Powers on Thursday and Fuller and Lance Hoge on Friday. Powers and Fuller, along with Holt, participated in Tuesday’s New York- Penn League All-Star Game at Medlar Field.

“I have been seeing the ball a lot better as of late,” said Holt, who raised his batting average to a team-best .275. “I’m just getting up here and getting my work done at the plate. I’m feeling pretty comfortable right now, and hopefully I can just keep it going.”

Most of Holt’s teammates looked comfortable Friday.

The Spikes started the game with six straight hits as Evan Chambers, Aaron Baker and Justin Byler singled, Pat Irvine homered to left field and Butch Biela singled.

“Brock has been a great leadoff guy all year,” Irvine said. “He set the tempo with a hit, Chambers got a hit and we were rolling right from there.”

The Spikes increased the lead in the second on RBI singles by Chambers and Irvine. They scored again in third on Chambers’ sacrifice fly. Through 21/ 3 innings, the Spikes had compiled 10 hits.

Friday marked the ideal time for an offensive outburst.

The Cyclones (38-22) won the first two games of the series, so the Spikes were playing to prevent their first sweep since dropping three at Staten Island from July 17-19. The Spikes are becoming a safe bet in series finales, with seven straight victories to close series. The stretch included a 10-2 victory with a six-run first inning against Oneonta on Aug. 13.

The Brooklyn and Oneonta games featured another similarity — massive crowds. The Spikes played before 5,507 fans against Oneonta. The Spikes entertained even more fans Friday, surpassing the previous attendance record of 5,671 established June 20, 2007 against Oneonta. By scoring early and often, players might have helped the front office bring repeat customers to the ballpark.

“It was pretty crazy,” Chambers said. “It was an awesome environment to be in. I know we all fed off it.”

The Spikes also mesmerized pitching aficionados.

Kyle McPherson and Zach Foster allowed eight singles to throw the team’s first shutout since a 1-0 victory over Auburn on July 31. McPherson allowed six hits and struck out seven in six innings. Foster surrendered two hits in the final three. The duo combined to walk one. Only three Cyclones reached scoring position.

“The fans were outstanding tonight,” McPherson said. “I was really lucky to pitch in front of that crowd. I’m proud that the team did well.”

Notes: The Spikes begin a six-game roadtrip tonight at Batavia. Philipsburg- Osceola graduate and Batavia first baseman Matt Adams is hitting .338 with two homers in 12 games since a promotion from rookie Johnson City. The Muckdogs (31-29) have won four straight games …The Spikes, who trail Staten Island by four games in the wildcard race, begin their final homestand next Friday against Williamsport.