It seems the State College Spikes have rediscovered their offense and decided to exploit it to its full extent last night.
The Spikes, who haven't hit a homerun since July 4th agaist the Williamsport Crosscutters, had three solo homers by the end of the third inning last night. This was only the start, as State College easily put away the Hudson Valley Renegades in the rubber game of the series, 5-4.
The team began its hit parade in the second inning when first baseman Daniel Rios slammed a solo shot to right field. Three batters later, left fielder Marcus Davis took one to left center field, putting State College up 2-0.
It wasn't over then, however, when shortstop Brian Friday led off the third. In his second at bat of the night, Friday made his first hit as a Spike a homerun, taking a Josh Johnson pitch over the left field wall.
The Spikes (15-14) scored one more in the third to go up 4-0 before the Renegades kicked off their offense. Hudson Valley (13-16) chipped away at its opponent's lead by getting one run in the fourth, one in the fifth and one in the eighth.
The ninth, however, was a scary inning for the Spikes. Spikes manager Turner Ward brought in closer Ron Uviedo to shut down the Renegades. He got two quick outs before allowing a solo homerun and then a single. Uviedo settled down and struck out the next batter to end the game and secure a series win for the Spikes.
Friday, who did not get a hit Wednesday night, continued to have a great night after his homerun. He walked, stole a base and eventually scored a run in the fifth. He was hit by a pitch in the seventh and stole second but was unable to get home.
Despite pitching six innings and only allowing two runs, Spikes starter Matt Foust had some control issues all game. He walked three and had one wild pitch, which eventually let a run score. This was Foust's first win in five starts and he now has a 1-2 record with a 3.63 ERA.
Rios went 3-4 last night, scoring and driving in a run. He was a triple shy of the cycle, hitting a homerun in the second, a single in the third and a double in the fifth.
The Spikes will play the Staten Island Yankees tonight at 7:10, kicking off a three-game series.
