Auburn Doubledays blank Spikes

The State College Spikes missed an opportunity.

The Spikes fell 2-0 to the Auburn Doubledays at Falcon Park, spoiling their chance to clinch the New York-Penn League’s Pinckney Division title. Williamsport lost 1-0 to Brooklyn, meaning State College would have locked up its spot in the league playoffs with a win.

The Spikes can clinch the division championship with a win or a Williamsport loss Saturday.

State College (43-23) managed just four hits against three Auburn pitchers in the shutout. Starting pitcher McKenzie Mills allowed two hits in five innings to earn the win for the Doubledays (26-38), Kyle Simonds gave up one hit in three innings and Phil Morse pitched the ninth to earn the save.

Jeremy Martinez went 2 for 3 to lead the Spikes.

State College starting pitcher Bryan Dobzanski allowed two runs, two walks and nine hits in seven innings to take the loss.

Auburn left fielder Oliver Ortiz’s two-run home run proved to be the difference.

After Nick Banks singled to left field with two outs in the bottom of the third inning, Ortiz crushed a home run to right-center field.

The Spikes and Doubledays continue their series at 7:05 p.m. Saturday.

This story was originally published August 27, 2016 at 1:04 AM with the headline "Auburn Doubledays blank Spikes."