UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – CJ Richmond launched his seventh home run of the season into the right field bleachers as part of a three-hit night and Bryce Bradford collected four hits in his home debut to lead the State College Spikes to a 12-5 victory over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Tuesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
With the win, the Spikes (13-8 2nd Half) extended their lead in the MLB Draft League second-half race to 1 ½ games over the Aberdeen IronBirds and two games over the Trenton Thunder.
Richmond’s blast, a 361-foot three-run homer in the fourth, allowed him to become the first MLB Draft League player this season to reach 40 runs batted in. Bradford, who notched a sacrifice bunt and a time hit by pitch in two plate appearances in his first Spikes game on Sunday in Aberdeen, hit safely in each of his first four at-bats, including a two-run single in the third and a triple to center field in the fourth, before lining out to center in the eighth.
Camden Ross started a new hitting streak after his 15-game string was stopped on Sunday in Aberdeen by going 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBI’s on Tuesday.
Spikes reliever Trey Cehajic (2-1) went five innings for the win. Cehajic allowed two runs, one of them earned, on three hits and a walk while striking out six batters. Jackson Mayo threw two innings of scoreless, one-hit ball to open the game for State College.
Mahoning Valley (8-14 2nd Half) starter Alexander Llinas (1-2) took the loss after being charged with seven runs, five of them earned, on seven hits and a walk while striking out two batters.
Wednesday night, the Spikes and Scrappers meet at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for a 6:35 p.m. matchup that will serve as the second game of their three-game set. State College is set to send right-hander Pablo Torres (0-0) to the mound, while Mahoning Valley is slated to go with right-hander Blake Lobell (1-1) on the hill.
The game will be the second in the Spikes’ six-game homestand as well, and fans can enjoy the fun of Glizzy and Wine Wednesday presented by Seven Mountains Wine Cellars featuring half-price Hot Dogs all game long and half-price Seven Mountains Wine Cellars wine and Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The series against the Scrappers then concludes on Thirsty Thursday presented by The BUS featuring $2 12-oz. drafts from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The weekend will feature the return of Youth Sports Night, as members of youth sports teams in the area can get discounted tickets for the game, and any player wearing their jersey to a Youth Sports Night game will be able to get a discount at the Spikes Ticket Office, along with a Bat and Ball Set Giveaway for the first 100 kids 12 and under wearing their jersey.
Saturday, August 8, the Spikes will host the National Coffee Month Celebration as the first 500 fans will receive a Spikes Coffee Mug Giveaway presented by W.C. Clarke’s The Cheese Shoppe to mark a caffeinated (or decaf if you prefer) night at the ballpark.
Then, on Sunday, August 9, the Spikes will welcome at two-time National Champion wrestler with a Mitchell Mesenbrink Appearance presented by Lion Country Kia at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Mesenbrink, who has helped lead the way to three team national titles on the mat as well, will sign autographs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., taking time out to throw out the game’s first pitch.
In addition, the first 500 fans through the gates when they open at 5:30, with early admission for Season Ticket holders and groups, will receive a Mitchell Mesenbrink T-Shirt presented by Lion Country Kia.
Plus, August 9 is the final Bark in the Park of the season presented by Plum Pristine Clean and Timberland Federal Credit Union. Fans can bring their four-legged friend as the ballpark goes to the dogs.
After the games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, kids 12 and under can participate in Kids Run the Bases presented by Mount Nittany Health.
Tickets for all five games remaining in the current homestand, along with all 13 remaining home games on the 20thAnniversary Season schedule, 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 Scrappers on Wednesday 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.
