| August 20, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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UncleLar note: the score above incorrectly shows the game going into the sixth inning. That’s incorrect. The game will revert to a five inning game with Jamestown having one less hit and State College one less error.
Mother Nature open up at just the right time for the Spikes tonight. Leading 3-0 going into the top of the sixth, the Spikes brought in #1 draft choice Daniel Moskos in relief. His appearance started as ugly as the weather as the Jammers managed to load the bases with no outs. Fortunately, the heavens chose that moment to open up and the game was called before any more damage could take place.
With the game reverting to the last completed inning, the game will go into the books as a 3-0 complete game shutout for Moises Robles.
The scheduled second game for this evening will be made up as part of a doubleheader in Jamestown later this week.
Today the Pirates promoted 1B/DH John Fitzpatrick from the Gulf Coast Bradenton Pirates to the Spikes.
Fitzpatrick was a January 2007 free agent signee out of Manhattan College. As a senior at Manhattan College in 2006, Fitzpatrick, 22, batted .325 with a school-record 18 home runs and 66 RBIs in 200 at-bats. A 6-foot-4, right-handed batter, he was the school’s all-time leader in hits (216), home runs (35) and RBIs (177) and was a second-team NCAA All-American as a senior. His career on-base percentage was .393, as he walked 86 times against 95 strikeouts. He led Manhattan to their first ever NCAA regional appearance where they were eliminated by Miami.
At the time of his promotion, Fitzpatrick led the Gulf Coast League in home runs with nine.
State College Spikes (Pittsburgh Pirates)
SO FAR THIS SEASON: The Spikes are 28-27 and in third place in the Pinckney Division.
WHO’S HOT: Andrew Walker was excellent this week. In nine at-bats, he had six hits (.667) and four RBIs. Keanon Simon is hitting .417 in August with four stolen bases.
WHO’S NOT: Erik Huber hasn’t been much help to the Spikes lately. He’s hitting .182 in his last 12 games.
ABOVE .500: The Spikes climbed above .500 for the first time since July 25 on Saturday with a 4-1 win over Williamsport. State College also did it without ace and All-Star Tony Watson (6-1, 2.52 ERA), who was called up to Class A Hickory. Dionis Rodriguez took Watson’s spot and pitched beautifully, allowing five base runners in five scoreless innings.
HITTING STREAK: Brian Friday extended his hitting streak to a team-record 18 games on Saturday, the most in the league this season, toping Emeel Salem’s 17-game streak. Friday is hitting .304 in his last 20 games.
Position: Infielder
Height: 6′3″
Weight: 225
Bats: R
Throws: R
Experience: College
Previous Team: Manhattan College
Draft Position: Free Agent Signee
More info: Manhattan bio
Assigned to Gulf Coast Pirates
Promoted to State College Spikes: Aug 20th, 2007
Note: Fitzpatrick was leading the Gulf Coast League in HRs at the time of his promotion to State College
On September 7th, all fans in attendance at the Spikes game will have a chance to win two pairs of tickets to watch the Nittany Lions take on the Irish, The tickets are courtesy of Health South – Nittany Valley Rehab.
There will be two ways to win the tickets. One pair will be auctioned off on the concourse throughout the game with the proceeds benefitting the American Heart Association. The second pair will be given to a fan who is randomly selected in a drawing during the game.
To purchase your tickets, call the Spikes front office at 877-99-SPIKES.
One day, a zany tale involving something that happened at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park will enter Centre County baseball lore.
For now, we have to swipe a neighbor’s tale.
This one involves a potato, a light-hitting catcher and Phillie Phanatic.
By pure coincidence, the State College Spikes are now part of story.
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