Missed opportunities turned out to be a key factor in the Auburn Doubledays' 4-3 extra-inning loss to State College Sunday.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
Doubledays second baseman Kevin Nolan tags out State College's Miguel Mendez as he slides into second base in the second inning Saturday at Falcon Park. Nolan received the throw from right fielder Welinton Ramirez, who fielded the ball off the wall.
Doubledays second baseman Kevin Nolan tags out State College's Miguel Mendez as he slides into second base in the second inning Saturday at Falcon Park. Nolan received the throw from right fielder Welinton Ramirez, who fielded the ball off the wall.
After rallying from a 3-1 deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Doubledays allowed a run in the 10th. Auburn then wasted a scoring opportunity, grounding into a double play with runners on the corners in the bottom of the 10th to end the game. The Doubledays left a total of 11 runners on base and went 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position, while also committing three errors.
The Spikes' big inning came in the top of the fourth, when they had back-to-back doubles, then another double two batters later. They scored three runs on four hits in the frame.
The Doubledays responded in their next at-bats off when Randy Schwartz tripled and scored on a Lance Durham sacrifice fly.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the Doubledays staged their rally. Chris Hopkins hit his second double of the night to knock in Lance Durham and make it a one-run game, 3-2. Eric Eiland then lined a single that deflected off State College pitcher Alan Knots to put runners on the corner. Welinton Ramirez reached base and Hopkins scored on the Spikes' second error. Schwartz struck out swinging to leave Eiland stranded and send the game into extras.
The Spikes wasted little time as Andy Vasquez tripled with one out in the top of the 10th. Auburn reliever Austin Armstrong was able to induce a ground ball, but Pat Irvine had his lone hit of the night to bring Vasquez in for what turned out to be the winning run. Armstrong hit his next batter before being pulled.
In the bottom of the 10th, Kevin Nolan grounded out to Spikes' shortstop Vasquez, resulting in a game-ending double play.
Hopkins had two doubles and an RBI in the game, while Eiland and Kyle Gilligan each had two hits. Welinton Ramirez, Jack Murphy, Durham and Jimmy Gonzalez each had a hit.
Evan Crawford got the start and lasted five innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs with four strikeouts.
Kyle McPherson earned the start for the Spikes, pitching five innings, allowing six hits and an earned run. Alan Knotts was credited with the blown save, but also got the win.
Auburn (3-5) starts a three-game home series against Jamestown today.
The Spikes' big inning came in the top of the fourth, when they had back-to-back doubles, then another double two batters later. They scored three runs on four hits in the frame.
The Doubledays responded in their next at-bats off when Randy Schwartz tripled and scored on a Lance Durham sacrifice fly.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the Doubledays staged their rally. Chris Hopkins hit his second double of the night to knock in Lance Durham and make it a one-run game, 3-2. Eric Eiland then lined a single that deflected off State College pitcher Alan Knots to put runners on the corner. Welinton Ramirez reached base and Hopkins scored on the Spikes' second error. Schwartz struck out swinging to leave Eiland stranded and send the game into extras.
The Spikes wasted little time as Andy Vasquez tripled with one out in the top of the 10th. Auburn reliever Austin Armstrong was able to induce a ground ball, but Pat Irvine had his lone hit of the night to bring Vasquez in for what turned out to be the winning run. Armstrong hit his next batter before being pulled.
In the bottom of the 10th, Kevin Nolan grounded out to Spikes' shortstop Vasquez, resulting in a game-ending double play.
Hopkins had two doubles and an RBI in the game, while Eiland and Kyle Gilligan each had two hits. Welinton Ramirez, Jack Murphy, Durham and Jimmy Gonzalez each had a hit.
Evan Crawford got the start and lasted five innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs with four strikeouts.
Kyle McPherson earned the start for the Spikes, pitching five innings, allowing six hits and an earned run. Alan Knotts was credited with the blown save, but also got the win.
Auburn (3-5) starts a three-game home series against Jamestown today.
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