UNIVERSITY PARK - For the second game in a row, the State College Spikes fell behind early and allowed the game to slip away in the top of the eighth inning. Aberdeen outhit the Spikes 13-4 and took Game 2 of a three game series 7-3, Wednesday.
Ironbirds pitcher Nick Houghian carried a no-hitter into the bottom of the seventh inning and leadoff man Tom Baxter led the way with three hits, as the Spikes dropped to 1-10 in games outside of the Pinckney Division.
As it was in their Tuesday meeting, State College fell behind 1-0 in the early going and was able to hold it close throughout the majority of the game.
The Ironbirds cracked the scoreboard in the top of the second inning when Brian Conley got the first of two hits to start the frame and was brought around thanks to a throwing error by State College's Ty Summerlin on an attempted double play.
The damage was minimal, but the Spikes' bats were nowhere to be found for the first 2/3 of the game. During the course of the first six innings, State College fielded only two base runners, both by way of walks but both were put out as part of double plays.
The Ironbirds added to their lead in the top of the seventh. Aberdeen started the inning with three straight hits, but scored their second run as Ty Kelly was walked and Brian Ward crossed the plate.
While their deficit was more than manageable, the Spikes had another costly eighth inning and Abereen put the game out of reach. Alan Knotts walked three runners in the frame and the Ironbirds added five more runs on three hits to take a commanding 7-0 lead.
State College finally got on the board in the bottom of the eighth. Butch Biela opened the inning by singling to right field before Miguel Mendez and Brock Holt followed with back-to-back hits. Holt's hit, a one-out double, scored Biela. Edward Garcia followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to cut the lead to 7-2. Holt was brought around after a throwing error by Aberdeen pitcher Stephen Procner, but it proved to be too little too late.
State College manager Gary Robinson was unavailable for comment as of press time.
The Spikes suffered their second loss in a row, dropping the team below .500 at 23-24. State College will have a chance to even its record when the two teams meet for the series finale at 7:05 p.m. tonight at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
