ValleyCats Surging, Finish Homestand 5-1

The Tri-City ValleyCats finished up a six-game homestand Monday night at Joe Bruno Stadium by beating the State College Spikes (Cardinals) by a score of 4-1.

The 'Cats got seven hits in the win, as well as a dominant pitching performance by righty Joe Musgrove. Musgrove tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and a walk to go along with six strikeouts.

The win moves Musgrove to 3-1 on the year and improves the ValleyCats to 25-12.

Tri-City took two-of-three from the previously league-best Spikes, who are now 26-11.

The ValleyCats lead the Stedler Division by six games over Connecticut.

The lineup for Tri-City is becoming more potent by the game, as six regular players have batting averages over .300, including Jamie Ritchie (.472), Derek Fisher (.380) and Bobby Boyd (.377).

ValleyCats first baseman A.J. Reed returned to the lineup last night. He had missed some time last week as he traveled to receive the NCAA Golden Spikes Award. The University of Kentucky product led the nation in homers (23) and also went 12-2 on the mound to take home several national player of the year awards.

Tri-City will travel to Connecticut for two games before returning home Thursday to play the Staten Island Yankees for three.