For a team that was on its longest losing streak of the season, the possibility of going up against a knuckle-ball pitcher was added more pressure to an already dire situation.
Despite never facing a knuckle baller in their history, much less this season, the State College Spikes found a blessing in disguise in Hudson Valley Renegades pitcher Diego Echevierra.
In front of a crowd of opposing fans at the Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, NY, State College ended their losing streak at four games, defeating the Renegades 5-4.
Echevierra's off-speed pitches confused some of the Spikes (14-14) early on but first baseman Daniel Rios was reading him well. In the first inning, he hit a double to right field and scored after the Renegades third baseman misplayed a ball in the next at bat.
Hudson Valley (13-16) would score in the bottom of the first after a few mental miscues by the Spikes. In the third, however, Rios was at it again, almost hitting the ball over the right-field wall. Shortstop Brian Friday, who reached base after being hit by a pitch, tagged at third to score the Spikes second run.
This would not be the only deep fly ball hit by the team. In the top of the fourth, with the game tied at two, designated hitter Erik Huber launched one to deep left. Despite not making the distance, it allowed centerfielder Marcus Davis to tag and eventually score.
The Spikes had a huge sixth inning, adding two more runs to bring their lead to three. Small ball helped their cause as two steals by Davis moved him into scoring position. Even though a single and run by second baseman Michael Ambrose forced Echevierra out of the game, the team was able to get one more run off the Renegade relief pitcher, Claudio Rodriguez.
The toughest inning for the Spikes was the bottom of the seventh. Michael Felix came in for State College starting pitcher Anthony Watson and proceeded to give up a run and put two runners on base. He held them, however, with two fly balls to get out of the inning.
Watson was solid again, picking up his fifth win in six starts. He pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking up five. His ERA moved up just a bit, from 1.63 to 1.87.
Closer Ronald Uviedo put away the Renegades one, two, three in the ninth to secure the win for the Spikes.
Despite going 1 for 3, Rios hit a double for a RBI and crossed the plate once himself. Davis also had a good day, but on the bases. He stole three times, twice in the sixth inning, scoring two runs for his team.
The five runs scored by State College were the most it's scored since July 6th against the Williamsport Crosscutters. With this win, the team brought itself back to .500 and crept closer to the Auburn Doubledays, who are leading the Pinckney Division in the New York-Penn League.
The Spikes will play the rubber match against the Renegades tonight at 7:05 in "The Dutch".
