BATAVIA, NY The State College Spikes got off to a quick start with two runs in the first inning, but the Batavia Muckdogs responded with an 18-hit outburst and scored in every inning except for the first in a 16-3 win on Thursday night at Dwyer Stadium.
Taylor Lewis produced his New York-Penn League-leading fifth triple of the year to plate State College's (5-16) first run and notch his team leading eighth run batted in. Lewis then scored himself two batters later when Derek Trent singled to left to make it 2-0, Spikes.
However, Batavia's (11-10) David Medina homered to center field in the second inning, and a five-run third inning culminated in Romulo Ruiz's bases-clearing double to give the Muckdogs a lead they would not relinquish. Ruiz added a solo home run to left field in a two-run fifth inning, and brought in a total of six runs in a 4-for-5 performance at the plate.
Batavia added a two-run frame in the sixth, and plated four runs in the ninth as well to round out the night. Kevin Moscatel went 4-for-5 for the Muckdogs with a double, an RBI and three runs scored. Medina and Mike O'Neill added three-hit nights for Batavia.
Justin Bencsko finished off the Spikes' scoring in the ninth inning with an RBI triple in his only at-bat of the game. Samuel Gonzalez reached base three times with a base hit and a pair of walks for State College.
The final margin of defeat fell two runs short of the Spikes' largest for a single game. Staten Island defeated State College, 17-2, on July 15, 2006 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, with the Spikes coming back to win the next night, 6-4, against the same opponent.
Jordan Cooper (0-1) took the loss for the State College in his professional debut. Cooper allowed six runs on six hits and three walks over 2 2/3 innings of work.
Batavia starter Todd McInnis (2-0) earned the win after going five innings and allowing the Spikes' first two runs on a total of three hits and a walk. McInnis added three strikeouts in the victory.
Friday, the Spikes and Muckdogs finish off their three-game set at Dwyer Stadium with a 7:05 p.m. matchup. State College will send right-hander Nick Kingham (0-2) to the mound as he seeks his first professional victory. Batavia counters with left-hander Patrick Daugherty (1-1) on the hill.
The Spikes will return home for a three-game homestand starting on Saturday against the Muckdogs.
