Spikes, Scrappers halted by rain in fourth

BOX SCORE/PLAY-BY-PLAY (via PitchAware)

NILES, Ohio – The State College Spikes and Mahoning Valley Scrappers got to the fourth inning on Wednesday night at Eastwood Field, with the Spikes building a 3-0 lead. However, rain stopped the game in the middle of the frame, and the game was cancelled at that point.

The Spikes (15-21) did not earn credit for the win as the game did not reach the requisite five innings to become an official game. However, both of the Spikes’ hits and all three runs will be included in the records.

Richie Holetz had pitched three hitless innings for State College before the interruption. Holetz, an Omaha product, walked two batters and hit one while recording a strikeout.

Two of the Spikes’ three runs were scored on Mahoning Valley (19-16) misplays. Curtis Washington Jr. scampered home after a Scrappers error following a flyout in the first, and Kenny Piper crossed the plate as a courtesy runner in the fourth after a third-strike passed ball to Hylan Hall. Lukas Cook also knocked in a run with his single in the second to bring in Mark Vierling, who had also singled.

The State College running game was back in vogue as the Spikes went 3-for-3 on the basepaths before the stoppage.

Thursday, the Spikes and Scrappers meet at 7:05 p.m. inside Eastwood Field for the finale of their now two-game series and the last game before the 2021 MLB Draft for both teams. Starting pitchers have not yet been determined for the game.

Following the series in Mahoning Valley, the Spikes will go their separate ways as they prepare to hear their names called at the MLB Draft, which will take place starting on Sunday, July 11 as part of MLB All-Star Week in Denver. The MLB Draft League will take a six-day break for the draft, and restart its inaugural season on Thursday, July 15.

The Spikes will return home for their first post-MLB Draft home game on Saturday, July 17, when they take on the Williamsport Crosscutters at 6:35 p.m. Fans can join with the Spikes to fight breast cancer on Paint the Park Pink Night, presented by Mount Nittany Health. The festivities include a Spikes Pink Mask Giveaway presented by Mount Nittany Health for the first 250 fans, with additional masks for sale to benefit the Mount Nittany Health Foundation.

Plus, the skies will light up after the game with the first of six more FIREWORKS shows on the 2021 home slate.

Tickets for every remaining home game on the Spikes’ 2021 home schedule are currently on sale through the Spikes Ticket Office. Tickets can be purchased by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting the Ticket Office in person from 9 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non-gamedays Monday through Friday.

Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action on July 17 via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics, starting with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The game can be viewed worldwide on the *MLB Draft League *streaming platform at MLBDraftLeague.com/streaming, along with the “Listen Live” link on StateCollegeSpikes.com and the *TuneIn Radio *app.