State College Spikes Win Game 1 Of The Championship Series 2-1 in Extra-Innings

As was the case so many times this season, the State College Spikes needed extra innings to decide their first Championship Series game. But once again, they pulled it off, winning 2-1 in 11 innings against Tri-City in Troy, New York on Tuesday night.

A Mason Katz solo home run tied the game in the fifth inning, and the Spikes took advantage of an error in the 11th to win the road meeting at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium.

State College scored the winning run in the 11th when Tri-City reliever Edison Frias threw a sacrifice bunt attempt into right field to allow Luis Perez to score from first.

The best of three series of the New York-Penn League Championship continues Wednesday night. Game two will be played at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park in State College. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

The Spikes can clinch the first NYPL championship in franchise history with a win over the Valley Cats

Tri-City will go with 2013 NYPL ERA champion Michael Feliz on the mound. The right-hander went seven shutout innings against Aberdeen in game one of the NYPL Semifinal Series. Feliz went 4-2 with a 1.96 ERA in the regular season.

Right-hander Nick Petree is set to get the ball for the Spikes. The Missouri State product and 2013 ninth-round draft choice of the Cardinals is looking to redeem himself after a tough outing in Game One of the NYPL Semifinal Series against Jamestown. Petree, who put up a 1.62 ERA in the regular season, allowed six runs on nine hits and a walk over three innings.