UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – A crowd of 5,313 fans, the largest of the season for the State College Spikes at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, cheered on the Spikes on Saturday night as they took a 6-3 win over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and raised the most funds in a single Paint the Park Pink Night presented by Mount Nittany Health.
Fans responded in full force to join the fight against breast cancer as together, they raised $9,265 in bidding on the Spikes’ special Pink and Black Jerseys to benefit the Mount Nittany Foundation and the work done by the Breast Care Center at Mount Nittany Health, as well as through the 50/50 Drawing at the ballpark.
The night was capped by the second straight night of FIREWORKS from the Field, as fans were invited onto the ballpark infield to see another spectacular lighting up the skies thanks to Mount Nittany Health. Three more shows remain on the 2022 schedule, with College Township presenting the action on Saturday, August 20, McClure Company presenting the show on Saturday, August 27, and Starfire Corporation presenting the show at the season finale on Sunday, September 4.
Saturday night’s crowd, many of whom were decked out in pink themselves to show their support for the fight, helped generate the Spikes’ (5-4 2nd half) late surge to take their third straight win. Ryan Chesney and DeAndre Shelton each took bases-loaded walks to break a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning, with Trent Taylor’s infield single bolstering the lead to three.
State College bounced back from going down 2-0 in the third on Dom Bucko’s RBI single and an error to plate a run in the fourth. Brody Perkes beat out an infield single to start the inning, then stole second and advanced a base on back-to-back flyouts, the last a Colin Adams sacrifice fly to score the run.
In the fifth, Nick Gile drove in his eighth run, the most for the Spikes in the second half, with a single to center field to score Shelton. A passed ball then brought in Taylor to give State College the lead.
In the eighth, Mahoning Valley (3-6 2nd half) tied the game on Adam Fogel’s RBI double before the power of pink drove the Spikes’ late flurry.
Spikes reliever Tristen Hudson (1-0) earned the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings to close the game. Hudson, who recorded the final out for North Greenville in the NCAA Division II national championship game this June, gave up just one hit and recorded one strikeout to net his first MLB Draft League win.
Scrappers reliever Brenton Thomas (0-1) took the loss after being charged with all three of the Spikes’ eighth-inning runs in 1/3 of an inning on the mound. Thomas yielded one hit and four walks.
The Spikes and Scrappers are set to finish their four-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Sunday, with State College looking for the sweep in the 4:05 p.m. contest. Right-hander Beau Nichols (0-1) will get the start for the Spikes, while right-hander Jarod Sprinkle (0-0) gets the ball for Mahoning Valley.
Sunday’s fun is headlined by Still Strong Night, featuring a special appearance from foundation co-founder, former NFL defensive lineman and proud Blue & White alum Devon Still. In addition to Still throwing out a first pitch and being part of the night’s activities, proceeds from the Spikes’ 50/50 drawing for the night will go to the Still Strong Foundation, and fans will have many ways to find out how to support the foundation and its cause.
It's also a a Sunday Funday presented by Bigfoot Country Classics, with a Pre-Game Catch on the Field from 3:00-3:30 p.m., half-price hard seltzers from 3:00-5:00 p.m_.,_ and Kids Eat Free as the first 250 kids get a voucher good for a free hot dog, chips and soda.
Plus, it’s another Kids Run the Bases Home Run Edition after the game, presented by Mount Nittany Health.
Tickets for every game remaining in the second half of the Spikes’ biggest regular season home schedule in franchise history are available now. Tickets can be purchased by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting the Spikes Ticket Office in person from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets, and view the full 2022 promotional schedule, at the only source for authentic Spikes tickets online by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
More ticket packages, including Flex Books and an array of group and hospitality options for the 2022 season, are currently on sale by calling the Spikes at (814) 272-1711. Additional information on all club ticketing options, as well as team news and schedule info, can be viewed at StateCollegeSpikes.com.
Catch all of the action of the Spikes’ game on Sunday via the Spikes Radio Network presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics with Steve Jones and Joe Putnam on the call. The broadcast starts with Spikes Live! presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park at approximately 3:40 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.
