Spikes fall to Mahoning Valley

Offensively, the past couple of games were kind to the Spikes.

A total of 18 runs on Saturday and Sunday, State College was getting after it at the plate.

Not so much on Monday.

The Spikes (41-21) couldn’t finish off a three-game sweep of the Scrappers, losing 4-2 at Eastwood Field.

Carson Cross was the losing pitcher for State College. Cross (4-5) allowed four runs and seven hits, walking three and striking out four, in seven innings. Cross has lost his last two decisions.

Brady Aiken earned the win for Mahoning Valley (30-31). Aiken (2-0) struck out six and surrendered one run over five innings of work.

The offense wasn’t totally lacking for the Spikes — Vince Jackson had an RBI single on an infield popup, and Ryan McCarvel hit a solo home run, his eighth dinger of the year.

But outside of those two hits, it was a tough night for the Spikes. They left five runners on base and were 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

Mahoning Valley, meanwhile, wasn’t on fire, either. But the Scrappers pieced together a run here and a run there, enough to edge the visitor.

After Jackson’s single opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, Mahoning Valley plated two in the bottom half. Andrew Calica singled on a soft fly ball to center field, scoring Gabriel Mejia.

Shortly after, Gavin Collins doubled to plate Calica.

Collins came through again for Mahoning Valley in the third inning, scoring Silento Sayles on an infield groundball single. Collins finished 3 for 4.

The Scrappers added a little cushion in the fifth when Jorma Rodriguez doubled home Sayles.

Mahoning Valley also took advantage on the bags. Mejia stole his 20th base of the season, Calica got his 13th, and Alexis Pantoja swiped his fourth.

The Spikes return home to start a three-game series with Batavia, beginning at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday.

This story was originally published August 22, 2016 at 11:40 PM with the headline "Spikes fall to Mahoning Valley."