STATE COLLEGE - Gary Amato stretched his scoreless string to nine straight innings with 4 2/3 innings of two-hit relief, but the Hudson Valley Renegades defeated the State College Spikes, 7-2, Thursday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Amato followed a strong start on the Fourth of July with his 4 2/3 innings against the Renegades. After allowing a double to the first batter he faced, Amato only allowed one hit the rest of the way. The nine-inning streak is the longest by a Spikes pitcher this year.
Justin Farrell shone on offense for State College (5-16) with three hits in his return to the Spikes' lineup. Farrell had missed the last 17 games after being hit in
the head by pitches twice
in four days.
Silvio Pena added an RBI triple and a double for the Spikes.
Hudson Valley (12-10) was led by John Mollicone's 4-for-4 night, including three doubles, four RBIs, and a run scored. Anthony Scelfo hit a solo homer to right field in the fifth inning for the Renegades.
It was the first homer over the right-field fence in the 2008 season.
Renegades starter Frank De Los Santos (3-2) got the win, going six innings and allowing eight hits and a walk. De Los Santos also struck out four.
Emilis Guerrero (1-2) started for the Spikes and went 4 1/3 innings, giving up seven runs on nine hits while striking out two.
