UNIVERSITY PARK — It took more than one pitch, but Marc Baca once again left Medlar Field at Lubrano Park with a tally by his name.
After allowing a leadoff double to Jeremy Barnes in ninth, Baca recorded three straight outs to close out the State College Spikes’ 5-4 victory over Williamsport on Saturday.
The save was the first of Baca’s professional career and it came two days after he recorded a one-pitch victory during a 4-3 thriller over Auburn.
Baca needed eight pitches to retire the Crosscutters. He threw two to Barnes before Sebastian Valle flied out to right fielder David Rubinstein on the second pitch he saw. Adam Buschini popped out the next pitch to shortstop Brock Holt and Anthony Hewitt sent an 0-2 pitch into Rubinstein’s glove to end the game.
Baca has experienced similar situations multiple times throughout his career. He spent the majority of his three-year stint at UNLV pitching either the eighth or ninth innings, although the Running Rebels played before smaller crowds than the Spikes.
“It’s exciting for one,” Baca said. “I was used to it from college coming in during tight games, so it’s nothing new to me. Here, you have the crowd behind you helping you out, so it’s fun.”
Baca is the first member of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2009 draft class to record a save. Bullpen jobs in the New York- Penn League are often loosely defined, and Baca said he hasn’t received a set role from pitching coach Mike Steele or manager Gary Robinson.
“They say you’re going in, and I say, ‘OK,’” said Baca, who saved nine games in three years at UNLV. “I don’t discuss that with them too much.”
Black goes again
Victor Black, a supplemental first-round pick from Dallas Baptist, pitched for the second time in four days and allowed two hits and one run in two innings. The outing was Black’s second since joining the Spikes.
Black, who pitched a perfect sixth in his debut last Tuesday, entered the game in the seventh and threw 38 pitches, including 26 in the eighth. A seven-pitch walk to Murillo led to Black allowing his first earned run as a professional. Black’s fastball touched 96 mph and he struck out one Saturday.
“He was just up,” Robinson said. “I think he had adrenaline going and that was good. This was good for him. I’ll tell you what I liked is that he believed in his fastball and didn’t quit throwing it.”
Bream makes appearance
Former Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves first baseman Sid Bream made an unannounced appearance to Medlar Field and threw out Saturday’s ceremonial first pitch. Bream, who lives in Butler County, served as the Spikes’ hitting coach last year. He is not formally involved in professional baseball this season.
“It brought us back to last year and the time that we shared with him,” first baseman Kyle Morgan said. “It’s fun to see that he made it out, enjoyed a game and even a win for us.”
Pointers
Shortstop Andy Vasquez missed his third straight game because of shin splints. Brock Holt, who was drafted as a second baseman, played shortstop and Ty Summerlin started at second for the third straight game. …David Rubinstein went 0 of 4 to end his hitting streak at 10 games. …The series returns to Bowman Field tonight for a 5:05 p.m. start. Jason Erickson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will face
Williamsport 18-year-old Jon Pettibone (1-0, .56).
In Print
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