NILES, Ohio – Joe Battaglia tossed five strong innings for the State College Spikes on Wednesday night, but the Mahoning Valley Scrappers downed the Spikes to take a 3-2 decision at Eastwood Field.
Battaglia allowed just one unearned run in the opening inning on Ron Washington’s RBI single, then retired the next 11 batters he faced in order. The right-hander from Southern University in Louisiana struck out three batters and allowed just two hits on the night.
State College (18-12 2nd half) took the lead in the fifth as Trent Taylor’s hustle double to right field plated Dawson Bailey and Devin Buckner’s sacrifice fly to center field scored Marques Paige.
Mahoning Valley (10-20 2nd half) took the lead for good in the seventh. Parker DePasquale and Alex Arauz drew back-to-back walks off David Moore (0-1) to start the inning. After Moore struck out Tyler Acosta, Brendon Rodriguez came in and walked Dom Bucko before Will Prater singled off the mound to bring in two runs.
Brock Reller singled in the third inning to extend his on-base streak to 18 games, the fifth-longest in the MLB Draft League this season.
Moore allowed a total of one hit and three walks while striking out three batters over 1 1/3 innings.
Scrappers reliever Alan Carter (2-0) picked up the win with two innings, striking out six of the seven batters he faced while walking the other. Chad Coles (3) notched a strikeout in a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the save.
The loss set the Spikes a full game back of the Williamsport Crosscutters (18-10 2nd half) with 10 games remaining in the 2022 regular season in the race for the second-half berth in the MLB Draft League Championship Game.
Thursday, the Spikes finish their three-game series against the Scrappers with a 7:05 p.m. rubber match at Eastwood Field. Right-hander J.D. Daniels (3-1) gets the ball for State College, while Mahoning Valley will send right-hander Masen Palmier (1-4) to the hill.
After the series against the Scrappers, the Spikes will then visit the Crosscutters at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field this coming Friday, August 26 before starting an eight-game homestand to close the regular season at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Saturday, August 27.
Highlights of the upcoming homestand include two bobblehead giveaways, with both subjects also appearing at the ballpark on their respective bobblehead nights. Two-time NCAA wrestling champion Roman Bravo-Young will meet and greet fans, sign autographs and more on Saturday, August 27 when his bobblehead goes to the first 1,000 fans of all ages, presented by McClure Company.
Plus, Michael Mauti, the heart and soul of the 2012 “Iron Lions,” will be on hand as part of the night’s activities on Saturday, September 3, with his bobblehead also going to the first 1,000 fans of all ages, presented by Penn State Health.
In addition, fans will be thrilled by the chance to see spectacular displays light up the Happy Valley skies from the ballpark infield as part of FIREWORKS from the Field, with McClure Company presenting the show on Saturday, August 27 and Starfire Corporation presenting the show on Sunday, September 4 at the Fan Appreciation Night regular season finale presented by Lion Country Kia.
More highlights include the Spikes Hockey Jersey-off-the-Back Auction presented by PSECU benefiting Children’s Miracle Network on Hockey Night in Happy Valley, which will take place on Sunday, August 28, and the last Bark in the Park of the season, presented by the Centre Daily Times, on Friday, September 2.
The full slate of Daily Fan Value Promotions will also be available, including two more Super Saturdays thanks to the PA Lottery and B94.5.
Tickets for each of the eight games remaining on 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 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 Joe Putnam on the call. The broadcast starts with Spikes Live! presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Eastwood Field starting at 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.
