A quick chopper back to the mound couldn't find its way past the outstretched arms of State College Spikes pitcher Michael Felix.
While Felix was quick to field the ball and retire his first batter, the rest of his outing didn't go as smooth.
The 2006 second round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates (46th overall) was unable to hold off the Muckdogs' offense. His pitches struggled to reach the high 80s as he issued a costly walk and surrendered three runs in the Spikes (10-10) 4-2 loss to the Batavia Muckdogs (11-9).
"The two-out walk hurt him," manager Gary Robinson said. "But he sure as heck wasn't trying to walk him. And the next guy was the hottest guy they had tonight, he had three hits, so it just worked out that way."
Robinson said he was pleased with the way Felix pitched considering he didn't have his best stuff. Felix's change in velocity is something Robinson said he's seen happen a lot throughout his time with the Spikes and happens to every pitcher.
"They got me," Felix said. "They made key hits, hit it where our players weren't and that's how they scored. I have no problems with the game. I was mad at myself because I'm the one throwing the ball."
State College starter Maurice Bankston (1-1) did something no other Spikes player has done so far this season. Bankston was the first pitcher to throw seven complete innings, and he only needed 67 pitches. He held the Muckdogs to just one run on six hits and lowered his ERA to 2.30.
While Bankston made the most of his start, the Spikes were once again plagued by offensive struggles.
The team only recorded six hits, two of which came in the bottom of the ninth, and was unable to capitalize on a key opportunity in the eighth inning. Although the Spikes missed their chance when first baseman Aaron Baker grounded out in the eighth inning, the team was able to light up the scoreboard in the next inning.
"There were a couple really good two strike approaches," Robinson said. "Daggonit we had the bases loaded with one out and you can't ask your hitter to be taking a strike at that point. You turn him loose and you know what he didn't hit that ball bad, he just hit it to where the guy was."
The team's will was once again tested in the ninth inning when it tried to rally after being down 4-0. After Muckdog's pitcher LaCurtis Mayes surrendered a leadoff walk to right fielder David Rubinstein, third baseman Pat Irvine began the short-lived rally.
Irvine launched the ball over the head of left fielder Beau Riportella for an RBI triple. Irvine's hit was followed by a single to right field from Edward Garcia that plated Irvine. The Muckdogs refused to let the rally continue as they changed pitchers and were able to strikeout catcher Craig Parry and then force shortstop Brock Holt to ground into a 4-6-3 double play.
"We have a sense of urgency in every inning," Robinson said. "These young men just don't quit. I just think that tonight they just pitched really, really well and we didn't swing the bat bad. They just had somebody standing where we were hitting."
