Win streak over as Spikes fall to 'Cutters

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – The State College Spikes saw their four-game winning streak end on Friday night at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field as a six-run third inning propelled the Williamsport Crosscutters to take a 10-2 decision.

Michael Slaten knocked in a run for the second consecutive game for the Spikes (4-5) with a two-out RBI single in the third. Slaten smashed State College’s first home run at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park with a solo shot on Thursday night.

However, it was all Crosscutters (7-3) after that. Damone Hale scored on a throwing error by Spikes catcher Kenny Piper after stealing third, Kyle O’Brien drew a bases loaded walk, Trey Steffler singled home two runs, and Nick Hemphill and Hale added RBI singles to finish off Williamsport’s big third.

Andre Tarver then scored the Spikes’ final run in the fourth after stealing third and advancing home on Crosscutters catcher Jorge Rodriguez’s throwing error.

Williamsport added four runs in the eighth to salt away the win. Rodriguez drove in a run with a fielder’s choice, and after Francisco Matos singled in another, a throwing error by Brady Brecklin allowed two more runs to score.

Spikes starter Louis Davenport III (1-1) took the loss after allowing five runs on one hit and four walks over 2 2/3 innings. Davenport struck out three batters in the effort.

Chase Costello (2-0) started and went five innings to earn the win for the Crosscutters. Costello gave up two runs on three hits and three walks. The right-hander also struck out nine batters over his mound tenure.

Saturday, the Spikes head to Eastwood Field in Niles, Ohio for the opener of a two-game series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. Right-hander Joe Miceli (0-0) is scheduled to head to the mound for State College to start the 7:05 p.m. matchup, while Mahoning Valley’s starter has not yet been announced.

Following the weekend series in Mahoning Valley, several Spikes players will participate in an MLB Draft Combine at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Monday. The whole team will then return home Tuesday to take on Williamsport at 6:35 p.m. to start a three-game series that serves as the front half of a six-game homestand at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

The stretch of six games through Sunday, June 13 includes $2 Tuesday presented by WOWY, FREE Teachers Night with teachers presenting ID at the Spikes Ticket Office receiving free admission on a Wine Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, and 4 for $44 Friday presented by 95.3 3WZ.

The weekend presents a pair of big nights, with June 12 featuring FIREWORKS presented by Boyles Insurance on a Super Saturday presented by PA Lottery and B94.5. Fans can also win big at Baseball Bingo, with the first 10 Bingo winners entered into a drawing on August 7 for the Baseball Bingo Ultimate Prize Pack, featuring a 70-inch Ultra HD Smart TV.

It all concludes on June 13 with a Sunday Funday presented by Bigfoot Country Legends featuring a Blair Thomas Bobblehead Giveaway for the first 250 fans.

Tickets for all six games on the upcoming homestand, as well as every game remaining on the 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 Tuesday 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.