STATE COLLEGE - The State College Spikes received a trio of top performances from their newest additions, but lost a four-run lead in the late innings to fall to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 6-4, at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Tuesday night.
Victor Black, the Pittsburgh Pirates' supplemental first-round draft choice in this year's Major League Baseball Draft, pitched a perfect sixth inning, striking out two. Phillip Irwin, the Pirates' 21st-round pick, matched Black's performance with a perfect fifth inning in which he also struck out two batters.
Aaron Baker, the Pirates' 11th-round choice in 2009, also made an impact with an RBI triple deep to center field in the fourth inning for his first professional hit. Baker, Black and Irwin all joined the Spikes on Sunday before making their first professional appearances on Tuesday.
State College (5-7) held the lead, 4-0, entering the seventh inning. However, Mahoning Valley (8-4) plated a run in the seventh and three in the eighth to tie the game. The Scrappers' Justin Henry then produced what turned out to be the game-winning hit with a two-run single in the top of the ninth.
Teddy Fallon (0-1) took the loss for the Spikes after allowing three hits, including Henry's ninth-inning single, and three walks in two-thirds of an inning.
Brian Grening (2-0) earned the victory for Mahoning Valley, finishing the game with two scoreless innings. Grening allowed only one hit and struck out three.
