UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – Yariel Gonzalez produced his sixth game with three or more hits on the 2017 season, but a key error in the seventh inning sunk the State College Spikes in a 5-2 loss to the Williamsport Crosscutters on Wednesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Gonzalez singled in the the first inning, then doubled to left field in the fourth to lead off the inning. After crossing the plate with the Spikes’ (40-34) first run in that inning, the State College third baseman and New York-Penn League RBI leader then singled in the fifth as well.
However, Williamsport (36-37) took the lead for good in the seventh. After back-to-back singles for Rodolfo Duran and Jesus Azuaje to start the frame, Spikes relief pitcher Alex Fagalde fielded a Nick Maton bunt and made an errant throw to third trying to force the lead runner. Two runs scored on that play, with a subsequent single by Yahir Gurrola adding another run and finishing the scoring.
The Crosscutters took the lead in the first on a Greg Pickett RBI single, and tacked on another run on Pickett’s second single in the third inning.
State College tied the game in the fifth on run-scoring singles from Bryce Denton and Matt Davis .
Davis and Edwin Figuera each delivered multi-hit games for the Spikes. Ricardo Bautista led the way on defense for State College, throwing out two runners on the basepaths and making a catch against the Spikes’ bullpen fence in right field while almost tumbling into the bullpen.
Pickett notched three hits to lead the way on offense for the Crosscutters.
Fagalde (1-2) took the loss for the Spikes, allowing one earned run and three total on three hits while striking out one batter in 2/3 of an inning.
Williamsport starter Kyle Young (7-2) earned the win with six innings of two-run ball, yielding eight hits and a walk while recording six strikeouts. Connor Brogdon (3) then finished the game with three scoreless frames for the save. Brogdon gave up two hits and a walk while striking out five batters.
The Spikes and Crosscutters will finish their respective 2017 campaigns against each other on Thursday night with a 7:05 p.m. matchup at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. State College has not yet determined a starting pitcher for the season finale, while Williamsport is slated to send right-hander Julian Garcia (3-5) to the hill.
