UNIVERSITY PARK - Calvin Anderson launched his sixth homer of the year Tuesday in front of his parents at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, but Staten Island struck early and late to pull away and top the Spikes, 7-1.
Anderson's ninth-inning homer was his fourth of the year at home, scoring the lone run for State College (11-40) with the blast off of Nick Asselin of the Yankees (33-21).
Anderson finished the game 2-for-4.
Staten Island took the early lead with a run in the first inning, then added two more in the third.
After the Yankees scratched across an insurance run in the eighth, Brian Baisley drove in a run with his fourth hit of the game.
Melky Mesa capped the Staten Island scoring with a two-run home run to left-center field.
Josue Peley entered the game in the fifth to catch after Miguel Mendez was ejected for arguing a third strike call by home plate umpire Aaron Larson, and threw out two attempted base stealers while adding a base hit.
Allen Ponder struck out a season-high six over four innings, tying the Spikes' season high for strikeouts in one game by a pitcher.
The Spikes' Carlos Amaro (0-1) took the loss, going four innings and allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits and two walks while striking out three.
David Phelps (6-2) picked up the win for Staten Island, going five shutout innings and allowing just two hits and a walk. Phelps also struck out four.
Wednesday, the Spikes and Yankees meet in the second game of the three-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park at 7:05 p.m.
State College sends right-hander Ramon Aguero (1-8) to the mound to face Staten Island righty Nick Montgomery (1-1).
