State College Spikes push winning streak to 5 games

The State College Spikes beat the Batavia Muckdogs 3-1 on Sunday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, pushing their winning streak to five games.

The Spikes took the lead with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. With the go-ahead run at third base, State College Spikes left fielder J.D. Crowe lofted a fly ball into right field. Batavia right fielder Harrison White ran back on the play, allowing the ball to drop in for an RBI single to push the Spikes ahead.

Brandon Benson’s RBI single in the eighth gave the Spikes a slightly bigger cushion, 3-1.

Player of the game

Spikes first baseman Tyler Lancaster: Lancaster finished 3 for 3 with an RBI double to lead State College offensively. With the tying run on second base in the eighth inning, Lancaster caught a line drive to start a double play to erase the threat.

On the mound

Solid start: Spikes pitcher Jonathon Mulford went five scoreless innings, allowing four hits and five walks while striking out six. Mulford stranded Batavia runners on second and third in the third inning and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fifth.

At the plate

Breaking through: Spikes second baseman Zach Kirtley’s double in the sixth inning ended his 0-for-27 run. It was his first hit since he singled in his first professional at-bat June 23. Kirtley, who was the St. Louis Cardinals’ fifth-round pick, is now hitting .080 this season.

Next up

Batavia at State College, 7:05 p.m. Monday: Right-hander Paul Balestrieri will make his first professional start for the Spikes. Balestrieri made two relief appearances this season, allowing two runs and four hits in 2  2/3 innings. Balestrieri, a Cornell product, was selected in the 26th round of this year’s draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. For Batavia, Hunter Wells will be on the mound. Wells (0-2, 2.35) allowed two runs in 3  2/3 innings and took the loss against the Spikes on June 22.

This story was originally published July 2, 2017 at 10:18 PM with the headline "State College Spikes push winning streak to 5 games."