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Spikes drop to Tri-City

UNIVERSITY PARK — Jake Dahlberg allowed just one run over seven innings for the second straight start and took a no-hitter into the fifth for the State College Spikes, but it was not enough as the Tri-City ValleyCats used Oscar Campos’s two-out single in the ninth to capture a 2-1 victory on Monday afternoon at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Dahlberg yielded three walks in the first five innings before Austin Dennis’s single to right field for the only hit against him on the day. The left-hander struck out eight batters, setting a new single-game high-water mark for himself as a professional, and lowered his ERA to 2.72.

The Spikes (11-19) also got a pair of doubles from Brady Whalen, who produced the second of consecutive two-base hits in the opening inning to give State College the first lead of the game. The first baseman then delivered another double, his fifth of the year, with two outs in the eighth, but was stranded.

Tri-City (18-12) responded to the Spikes’ marker with a run in the fifth. After Ramiro Rodriguez walked, Dahlberg committed one of his lone miscues with an errant pickoff throw to first, advancing Rodriguez to third base. Carlos Machado then delivered a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game.

The ValleyCats then rallied in the ninth as Michael Wielansky reached base on a one-out single against Kevin Hamann (0-1) and moved to second on a single by Machado. Campos then lined a pitch from Cory Malcom to center field to plate Wielansky and give Tri-City the advantage.

State College led off the ninth with walks drawn by Brandon Benson and Cameron Knight, but, after a sacrifice bunt, Tim Hardy (3) struck out back-to-back hitters to end the game.

Hamann took the loss after being charged with the go-ahead run on a total of three hits and a walk over 1 2/3 innings.

Tri-City reliever Nivaldo Rodriguez (1-1) picked up the win with four scoreless innings of work. Rodriguez yielded three hits and struck out two batters.

Hardy pitched the ninth and earned the save.

The Spikes will now hit the road for a three-game series against the West Virginia Black Bears (Pittsburgh Pirates) at Monongalia County Ballpark. Left-hander Diego Cordero (0-0) is scheduled to start the series opener for State College. West Virginia’s starter is not yet determined.

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