UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – E.J. Doskow smashed a majestic solo home run that surpassed the capacity of current scouting technology, but the State College Spikes’ late rally fell short as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers took a 7-4 decision on Thursday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Doskow led off the bottom of the sixth inning by sending a 3-1 pitch from Mahoning Valley (6-1) reliever Miguel Alba (1-0) down the left-field line and over the Pepsi Picnic Pavilion. The 39-degree launch angle, the distance of the home run and the close proximity of the ball to the left field foul pole put the ball outside the parameters of the ballpark’s tracking system, though estimates from observers put the distance of the blast at over 410 feet.
The homer tied the game at 2-2, and Carlos Aranda followed by doubling and scoring on Tommy Schroeder’s sacrifice fly later in the same frame to put State College (1-6) ahead, 3-2.
However, the Scrappers plated four runs in the seventh inning to create separation. Owen Jackson singled in one run, a Spikes error plated two more, and Reed Chumley brought in another run with a single of his own.
Mahoning Valley would score once more in the ninth on Buck Anderson’s single before the Spikes charged in the ninth. Jorge Cartagena got the surge going with a one-out single, followed by a steal of second base and an advance to third on a wild pitch.
Lyndon Weaver’s single brought home Cartagena, and after a strikeout, Kevin Karstetter’s single and a walk to Doskow brought the winning run to the plate in Ty Hill. However, the Scrappers’ Karter Robertson would get a called strike three to end the game.
Anderson led the way for Mahoning Valley offensively with two hits, two walks and three stolen bases. The Scrappers went 6-for-6 as a team on the basepaths.
Brennan Cox (0-1) took the loss in relief for State College after being charged with four runs, two of them earned, on three hits and two walks.
Alba picked up the win for Mahoning Valley despite allowing Doskow’s monster homer. The right-hander allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two batters over two innings of work.
Thursday’s game also marked the Spikes’ Pride Night celebration at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The Spikes welcomed the Centre LGBTQA Support Network (CLSN) and staff from State College Borough to the ballpark in advance of Saturday’s State College Pride Caravan to celebrate Pride Month in Happy Valley. The Spikes’ 50/50 Drawing benefited CLSN, while group members joined with fans across the ballpark in singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch, among other activities.
Friday, the Spikes start a three-game series with the Williamsport Crosscutters that will alternate locations throughout the weekend. The set opens up at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field with a 6:35 p.m. start time. State College will send Southern University right-hander Toine Harris (0-0) to the mound for his second start of the season, while Williamsport is slated to go with right-hander Austin Marozas (0-0).
Following the opener in Williamsport, the two teams will come back to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for another 6:35 p.m. matchup on Saturday. Fans will enjoy a big night at the ballpark as FIREWORKS light up the skies after the game and Sean Clifford makes a special appearance. Happy Valley’s QB1 will sign autographs, meet and greet fans and throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the game.
Plus, it’s a Salute to the Outdoors at the ballpark on the first Super Saturday of the season presented by the PA Lottery and B94.5. Fans will have lots of chances to win great Spikes prizes throughout the night, including the return of Baseball Bingo, with bingo cards available as fans enter the ballpark and the numbers determined by results of on-field action. The first ten fans to make Baseball Bingo will win a Spikes Prize Pack and be entered to win the Baseball Bingo Ultimate Prize Pack at the last Saturday home game of the year on September 2.
The postgame fun also includes another installment of Kids Run the Bases Home Run Edition presented by Mount Nittany Health, where kids 12 and under can run the bases from home to home just like their favorite Spikes after a home run.
Tickets for Saturday's game, as well as every game 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, 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 on Friday 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 Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field at 6:20 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.