In a little more than four hours, the State College Spikes suffered a devastating low and a team-building high. But that is the nature of a doubleheader.

A late-inning collapse and a late-inning stand allowed the Spikes to split their doubleheader with the Oneonta Tigers 7-6 (8 inn.) and 5-2, respectively.

The first game showed ineptitude of the bullpen as it was unable to hold a six-run lead, but then it rebounded with a dominating performance in the second game -- holding a three-run lead.

Game One starter Matt Lane was rewarded by manager Mark DeJohn because of his last two solid relief appearances. He didn't disappoint his manager and pitched his best game of the season.

Lane was an emergency starter because of the doubleheader combined with the call-up of ace Adam Ottavino. He started out the season with a few terrible bullpen outings, which saw his ERA balloon to more than 11.00, but his five shutout innings in Game One saw his ERA drop to a manageable 5.57.

Part of Lane's success is connected directly to the offensive performance of the Spikes hitters. Since pitchers aren't able to hit in the minors, they are relegated to sit and hope for their teammates to provide them with a lead. During his five innings of work, they did just that by giving the first-time starter a six-run cushion -- led by Allen Craig's three-run homer in the fifth.

But once again, the bullpen was unable to hold a lead.

Lane left the game with a 6-0 lead and sat on the bench and watched Brian Schroeder, Kyle Mura and closer P.J. Walters allow seven runs over the next three innings. Walters took the loss along with a blown save during the collapse.

The collapse didn't seem to bother Game Two starter Gary Daley, who followed up a solid five-inning start with another confidence-building performance.

But the Spikes offensive provided him with another comfortable lead as Craig hit his second homer of the night, good for a three-run lead.

Even after the sour taste left by the opening game, the bullpen regrouped as two different relievers helped the Spikes pick up the win. Kyle Sadlowski and part-time closer Jason Motte allowed only one hit over the final two innings and preserved the series win for State College.

Movin' On Up

After his last start on July 19, right-handed pitcher Adam Ottavino was called up to the Swing of the Quad Cities. Ottavino was 2-2 with a 3.14 ERA during his stint with State College. He is scheduled to start his first game with his new team during this week.