9/07 – State College 4 Mahoning Valley 1

September 6, 2007
	Final    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9      R   H   E   Mahoning Valley   0   0   0   0   0   1   0   0   0      1   7   1   State College   0   0   0   0   4   0   0   0   X      4   10   0  box | log W: Z. Duke (1-0, 1.59); L: G. Rieck (3-1, 2.00); SV: D. Moskos (1) HR: None.

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Spikes’ defense helps Duke earn win

By Guy Cipriano 

UNIVERSITY PARK — The inning included two telling ovations, one directed from a temporary member of the State Colleges Spikes to a permanent one, another directed from the fans to the 24-year-old they paid to see.

When witnessed from somewhere inside Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, the ovations told the story of Game 74 of this 75-game season.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Zach Duke applauded left fielder James Barksdale’s diving catch during the sixth inning of Thursday’s 4-1 victory over Mahoning Valley.

The 4,667 fans who entered the ballpark then applauded the brush with the big leagues that accompanied Duke’s rehabilitation assignment.

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Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitcher Zach Duke, on rehab assignment with the Spikes, throws a pitch against Mahoning Valley on Thursday September 6. CDT/Christopher Weddle

Duke Deals Spikes to 4-1 win over Scrappers

UNIVERSITY PARK – The State College Spikes pushed their winning streak to three games thanks to a 4-1 win over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Thursday evening. Pirates’ hurler Zach Duke made the start for the Spikes and was truly impressive over his 5.2 innings of work as he continued to rehab his left elbow. The southpaw allowed one run on three hits, while walking one and striking out three. In what is most likely his final rehab appearance before rejoining the Buccos, he tossed 89 pitches with 57 of them going for strikes.

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Major Leaguer Duke solid in rehab start

By Dean Myers

Collegian Staff Writer

Fresh off of what is likely to be his final rehabilitation assignment before rejoining the Pittsburgh Pirates, pitcher Zach Duke stood pressed against the State College Spikes’ clubhouse wall surrounded by reporters. With several voice recorders held toward his face, he was calm, cool and collected while he fielded post-game questions.

He had the poise and look of a man completely comfortable and in command of his situation. In command not only of the moment, but for what must have been the first time in months, his career.

On a night when the Spikes’ parent club saw two of their prized top young pitchers combine to surrender 10 runs in four and a third innings, the club received some desperately needed good news.

Not only did its Single-A affiliate Spikes win 4-1 but its star pitcher, Duke, had five and two-thirds innings of three hit, one run baseball.

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Zach Duke threw 57 strikes during his five innings of work for the Spikes.