For one of the few times this season, the State College Spikes scored the first run.
But they ended up giving it back -- and three others in the second inning, en route to a 6-1 loss to Oneonta (10-10) at Damaschke Field in Oneonta, N.Y. last night.
That second inning started with shortstop Andy Vasquez laying down a successful bunt for a hit. After a sacrifice bunt, the Spikes (5-14) loaded the bases but only scored one run in the inning when Vasquez scored on designated hitter Cole White's sacrifice fly.
Down 1-0, the Tigers pounded Spikes starting pitcher Ryan Kelly (0-1) with in the bottom half of that inning.
The Tigers led off the inning with five consecutive hits -- including a double and two triples -- resulting in four unanswered runs, giving the home team a 4-1 lead.
After Wednesday's two-hit performance, hitting coach Sid Bream called all the position players to a meeting in the weight room. That meeting rejuvenated the offense.
Thus, a 4-1 deficit after two innings would not seem to be insurmountable for the Spikes.
But it was.
After the second inning, the Spikes managed just four hits, totaling six for the entire game. The inning in which they had the best chance to score, Vasquez, who had two of the Spikes hits, ran them out of that chance after being thrown out going from first to third on a Josue Peley single.
It was a change of pace from the past three games for the Spikes.
They had arisen from a pitiful offensive slump with five or more runs in the past three games including 9-5 and 12-0 wins on Thursday and Friday respectively.
Last night's loss puts the Spikes at a New-York Penn League worst 5-14. State College is also 7.5 games behind Pinckney Division leading Jamestown.
The Tigers offense was tamed by 3.2 shutout relief innings from Spikes right-handed pitcher Allen Ponder.
He's pitched five straight scoreless innings after an outing against Williamsport where he gave up two runs and five hits in 2.1 innings.
Tonight it looks to avoid a sweep by the Tigers at 7. Brian Leach makes his first start as a Spike.
He's pitched in four games this season, all out of the bullpen, with a 10.24 ERA.
