UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The State College Spikes closed out their 2023 home schedule with one last FIREWORKS From the Field show presented by Starfire Corporation and a spate of giveaways on Fan Appreciation Night presented by Lion Country Kia after a 5-3 loss to the Williamsport Crosscutters on Thursday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Fans were able to see the FIREWORKS From the Field show, themed as a Salute to Summer Vibes, from the infield at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park following the game, then participated in a special Everyone Run the Bases Home Run Edition presented by Mount Nittany Health.
Plus, several giveaways highlighted Fan Appreciation Night presented by Lion Country Kia, capped off by a two-year Lease Giveaway on a new Kia.
In game action, the Spikes (23-22 2nd Half) took a 3-0 lead in the fourth on a two-run single from Raul Ortega and a Jesse Fonteboa RBI single. However, Williamsport (18-26 2nd Half) took advantage of a pair of errors, a passed ball, and Brayland Skinner’s two-run double to post five runs in the eighth inning and take the win.
Jonah Jenkins made a sterling start for the Spikes in his last scheduled outing of the 2023 season. Jenkins tossed five scoreless innings and allowed just one hit and one walk while recording seven strikeouts.
Kerry Wright (0-2) relieved and took the loss for State College after being charged with all five Crosscutters runs, though only one of them earned, over a total of 2 1/3 innings.
Williamsport starter Ruddy Gomez struck out nine batters but allowed three runs over 3 2/3 innings. Reliever Mitchell Scott (3-0) pitched a scoreless seventh, striking out the side in the process, for the win. Connor Langrell (8) allowed one hit over two innings and notched five of his six outs via strikeout for the save.
The Spikes will now head to Eastwood Field in Niles, Ohio for a quick two-game series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers to finish the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft League season. Right-hander Xander Lovin(3-0) will get the ball for State College to face Mahoning Valley right-hander Dylan Sabia (2-4) in the 7:05 p.m. series opener on Friday.
While the Spikes’ 2023 home schedule is complete, you can make your plans to be at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park this Labor Day weekend as the ballpark will host Happy Valley Music Fest, produced by Chautauqua Region Music Alliance, on Sunday, September 3. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band will headline the lineup along with Vanessa Collier for the return of this community concert event, with local favorites Donny Burns & the Third Degree, Chris Bell Band and Sidewinder rounding out the bill.
All tickets for the Happy Valley Music Fest at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park will be in digital form and are now on sale at StateCollegeSpikes.com. The stage for Happy Valley Music Fest will be on the field, with general admission digital tickets available for $20 with access to the field as well as seats in the main seating bowl.
The full slate of concessions will be available at the ballpark for fans throughout the event, with ballpark gates opening at 12:30 p.m.
Parking is available in the Porter North, Jordan East, and Stadium West parking lots. Parking can be purchased in advance until Saturday, September 2 at 11:59 p.m. for $5.50 at https://psu.parkmobile.io/medlar-field-lubrano-park. Day of parking will be available for $10 at the above link, and at ParkMobile Zone 95112. Penn State parking permits are valid in the commuter lots at no additional charge.
Catch all the action of the Spikes’ game on Friday via the Spikes Radio Network presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics with Joe Putnam on the call remotely alongside some special guests. The broadcast starts with Spikes Live! presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air starting at approximately 6:50 p.m.
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.
