UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The State College Spikes took a 7-0 lead after three innings and Sebastian Rodriguez pitched 5 2/3 solid innings to lead the way on the mound in the Spikes’ 10-3 victory over Williamsport Crosscutters on Wednesday night at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field.
Josh Leslie led the way for the Spikes (23-21 2nd Half) offense as he went 3-for-5 at the plate, upping his Major League Baseball Draft League-leading second half hit total to 60. Zac Vooletich’s RBI double in the second and Braedon Blackford’s two-run double in the third were both key hits for State College, combining with four Williamsport (17-26 2nd Half) errors in the first three innings to keep the flurry going.
Rodriguez (2-1 2nd Half) kept the pace up with the Spikes well out in front, allowing three runs on four hits, one walk and one hit batsman over his tenure on the mound. The right-hander from Point Park (Pa.) University also struck out two batters and retired seven straight at one point.
Crosscutters starter Jake Norris (0-3) took the loss after being charged with seven runs, though just two earned runs, on five hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out three batters over three innings.
Vooletich, Blackford and Payton Harden each joined Leslie in recording multi-hit games for the Spikes.
The Spikes and Crosscutters now head back to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Thursday night to finish their three-game series with a 6:35 p.m. matchup. State College, playing its home finale on Thursday, will send right-hander Jonah Jenkins (1-2) to the mound. Williamsport is scheduled to start right-hander Ruddy Gomez (0-1).
Thursday’s home finale will be Fan Appreciation Night presented by Lion Country Kia, and fans will be able to enjoy one more FIREWORKS From the Field show, a Salute to Summer Vibes presented by the official FIREWORKS provider of the Spikes, Starfire Corporation.
It’s also THON Night at the ballpark as we begin the drive towards THON 2024 with activities to raise money and awareness, including a portion of ticket proceeds from THON tickets, all #ForTheKids.
Plus, it’s a $1 Beer Night at Thirsty Thursday, presented by The BUS, with $1 12-oz. select drafts and $2 12-oz. craft drafts from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
After the game will be the final Kids Run the Bases Home Run Edition presented by Mount Nittany Health, with all fans invited to join kids 12 and under for one last jaunt around the bases from home plate to home plate.
Tickets for Thursday’s home finale are available now. Tickets can be purchased by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting the Spikes Ticket Office from 9 a.m. until the end of the game Thursday.
Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets, and view the promotional schedule, by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
In addition, 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 Thursday via the Spikes Radio Network presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics with Steve Jones and Joe Putnamon the call. The broadcast starts with Spikes Live! presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park starting at approximately 6:05 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.
