GRANVILLE, W. Va. – Blake Bradford made his mark with the 23rd grand slam in State College Spikes history for his first homer with the club and drove in five runs total as the Spikes downed the West Virginia Black Bears, 7-2, to clinch a series win on Tuesday night at Kendrick Family Ballpark.
With the win, and Aberdeen’s loss to Williamsport on Tuesday, the Spikes (22-18 2nd Half) drew to within just a half-game of Aberdeen for the second-half berth in the MLB Draft League Championship Game with six games remaining on the regular season schedule for both teams.
Bradford smashed the first pitch he saw with two outs in the fourth 419 feet to left-center field to collect the Spikes’ second slam of the series.
Justin Journette accomplished the feat in the series opener on Sunday, and he and Bradford added their names to a list that includes major leaguers Alex Dickerson, David Washington, Andy Young and Lars Nootbaar, along with teammate Camden Ross, who smashed a slam on July 20 in Williamsport.
The blast extended the Spikes’ lead to 6-0 after a two-run first inning in which Jett Buck drew a bases-loaded walk and Nyan Hayes singled through the left side to bring in another tally.
Bradford then followed his grand slam with a triple to left-center field in the sixth to bring in Hayes, giving him State College’s second five-RBI game of the season after Journette did the same on July 31 in Trenton.
Trey Cehajic (3-2) held the Black Bears (18-23 2nd Half) scoreless over five innings on the mound for the win. Cehajic allowed three hits and three walks while recording one strikeout.
Vincent Spizzoucco followed Cehajic with three scoreless innings in which he struck out six batters.
West Virginia mounted a small rally in the ninth to plate a pair of runs before Patrick Morris (7) came on with the bases loaded and two outs to force Owen Petrich to ground into a game-ending forceout for the save.
After an off day on Wednesday, the Spikes come back home to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to start the final stretch of the regular season with the opener of a six-game, alternating-site series against the Williamsport Crosccutters. State College will send right-hander Haden Luke (3-1) to the mound for the 6:35 p.m. matchup.
The Spikes will host the first, fourth and sixth games of the series, with the other three matchups taking place at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field. Should the Spikes overcome Aberdeen for the second-half berth in the MLB Draft League Championship Game, that would take place in Williamsport against the Crosscutters on Wednesday, September 2.
Fans will also be able to enjoy a trio of FIREWORKS shows after each remaining home game on the 20th Anniversary Season schedule, as the show slated for this past Saturday will now move to Sunday, August 30, presented by Penn Highlands Healthcare.
The fun begins on Thursday as the skies will light up with a fantastic FIREWORKS show presented by Mount Nittany Health after the game, and the first 1,000 fans through the gates to start the night will receive a Nookie Monster Bobblehead Giveaway presented by McClure Company. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. with early entry for Season Ticket holders and groups.
Plus, fans can participate in Music Bingo at the ballpark, presented by Timberland Federal Credit Union. Fans can pickMusic Bingo cards on their way into Medlar Field at Lubrano Park and listen for the walk-up music for players from both teams in the game - if you get BINGO, head to the Giant Customer Service Center for your fantastic prize.
It’s also a Thirsty Thursday presented by The BUS, with 12-oz. drafts just $2 apiece from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for all three home games remaining on the 20th Anniversary Season schedule, all now featuring FIREWORKS, are available by calling 814-271-1711 or by visiting the Spikes Ticket Office from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with hours during home game days of 10 a.m. to the end of the game Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to the end of the game on Saturday and Sunday.
Spikes fans can also celebrate the final month of the 20th Anniversary Season with 20% off single-game tickets and select Luxury Suites at the ballpark with the 20/20 Special presented by The Clubhouse Family Fun Centre at the Nittany Valley Sports Centre.
That's not just 20% off Diamond Club, Field Box, Bullpen Box and Outfield Bleacher seats - even select Luxury Suites from Tuesday to Thursday are 20% off for every remaining home game in our 20th Anniversary Season.
Use promo code AUGUST20 by phone at 814-272-1711, at the Spikes Ticket Office, or click this link: https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2new/team.asp?SponsorID=19353&promocode=AUGUST20.
Fans can use promo code AUGUST20 to buy and download single-game tickets, and view the 2026 promotional schedule, by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
Catch all the action of the Spikes’ game against the Crosscutters 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 Putnam on 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.
Audio streaming of every Spikes game, home and away, is available on StateCollegeSpikes.com.
