UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – On a day when they wore jerseys honoring Josiah Viera, emblazoned with his lifelong credo, “Never Give Up,” the State College Spikes did Josiah proud as they scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to complete a series sweep of the first-place West Virginia Black Bears, 7-6.
With every member of the Spikes (18-18 2nd Half) donning Josiah’s name and his number 10, the only retired number in franchise history, on the back of their jerseys, Braedon Blackford brought in Caleb Marquez with a game-winning sacrifice fly to complete the comeback.
The jerseys were also up for bids in the Josiah Viera Jersey-off-the-Back Auction, with auction winners present at the game receiving their jerseys on the field immediately following the thrilling conclusion. The auction, presented by PSECU to benefit Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in Danville, which provided care to Josiah throughout his lifelong battle with progeria, a rapid aging condition, combined with a donation from PSECU and proceeds from the day’s 50/50 Drawing to raise $7,500.
The Spikes’ rally began with Zac Vooletich’s walk, followed by a Carlos Contreras single to center that put the tying run on base. Marquez, who came on as an emergency replacement at catcher in the second inning, then walked and Josh Leslie drove in Vooletich and advanced Contreras to third with a sacrifice fly, drawing State College within 6-5.
The next batter, Brennen Dorighi, singled to left field to bring home Contreras and tie the game before Ryan Guardino rapped a single through the hole at shortstop to load the bases.
West Virginia (23-13 2nd Half) reliever Jim Jarecki then came in and forced Blackford, who had entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the eighth, to pop a ball up between four fielders in left field, which Tyner Hughes made a sliding catch on for the second out. However, Marquez took advantage of the Black Bears’ slow return of the ball to the infield to race home with the winning run.
Payton Harden, Marques Paige and Dorighi each recorded mutli-hit games for the Spikes.
Patrick Kudelka (3-4) tossed two innings of relief, allowing one run on two hits and a walk while striking out two batters, to pick up the win for State College.
John Bakke (2-3), who began the bottom of the ninth on the mound for the Black Bears, took the loss after being charged with all three of the Spikes’ runs in the frame.
Patrick Lee knocked in three runs in a 2-for-5 day for West Virginia.
After an off day on Monday, the Spikes will look to bring the momentum from their three-game sweep of the team still in first place in the MLB Draft League’s second-half standings to a new three-game set against the Williamsport Crosscutters starting on Tuesday. Right-hander Travis Cole (0-0) will make his first start for the Spikes in the 6:35 p.m. series opener at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
The festivities of the week include the return of Dollar Dog Night on Tuesday, renewing a Medlar Field at Lubrano Park tradition just in time for the return of thousands of Penn State students as the fall semester begins. All Country Store Brand hot dogs will be just $1 apiece throughout the game, with a limit of four hot dogs per transaction.
Plus, it’s another Walking Taco Tuesday presented by Bigfoot Country Legends, featuring half-price Walking Tacos at the Salsa stand behind home plate and other designated ballpark locations all game long.
The Spikes will also host the Crosscutters at 6:35 p.m. on a Wine Wednesday presented by Seven Mountains Wine Cellars and WOWY Radio, featuring half-price wine and Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., before going to Historic Bowman Field on Thursday for the series finale.
Tickets for Tuesday and Wednesday, and each of the last seven games remaining on the Spikes’ largest 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 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. until the end of the game on Saturday and Sunday.
Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets, and view the full 2023 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 for the return of this community concert event, with more acts to be announced in the coming days.
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.
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 Tuesday 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.
