State College Spikes infielder Deniel Ortiz was named the Major League Baseball Draft League Player of the Week Award winner for the opening week of the 2024 season, as announced by the league on Monday.
Ortiz, who joined the Spikes from junior college powerhouse Walters State Community College in Tennessee, hit .550 while slugging .750 and reaching base at a .667 clip during the first six games of the MLB Draft League season. The Lynn, Massachusetts native smashed his first home run of the summer in Friday's home opener against West Virginia, then capped off the week with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Spikes their fifth straight win.
Ortiz joins Bears pitcher Hunter Hodges, who recorded 13 strikeouts to just four walks over five innings while recording a save this past week to earn the loop's Pitcher of the Week Award, on the first MLB Draft League weekly honor roll of 2024.
Fans in Happy Valley can see Ortiz and the Spikes back in action on Tuesday, June 18 to start a two-game mini-series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park against the Williamsport Crosscutters. Fans can enjoy the return of Walking Taco Tuesday presented by Bigfoot Country Legends on the 18th, with half-price Walking Tacos available at the relocated Salsa stand, now available next to the Kids Zone on the third-base side of the concourse.
Wednesday the 19th is the debut of the new Glizzy and Wine Wednesday presented by Seven Mountains Wine Cellars and WOWY Radio, with half-price Country Store Brand hot dogs available all game long throughout the ballpark and half-price servings of wine available from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
For tickets to those two games, as well as every remaining home game on the Spikes’ 2024 schedule at the new-look Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, fans can call 814-272-1711 or by visiting the Spikes Ticket Office from 10 a.m. until the end of the game on Sunday.
