UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Trailing 8-0 in the second inning, the State College Spikes made a valiant comeback effort propelled by two Jack Riedel homers before ultimately falling to the Trenton Thunder, 8-6, on Monday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
The loss was the first for the Spikes (4-1) in 2023, drawing them into a tie with the Thunder (4-1) for first place in the Major League Baseball Draft League’s first half.
Riedel, a Houston native who hit seven homers for Rice this spring, gave fuel to State College’s rally with a two-run homer to right off Trenton reliever Anthony Pron in the seventh that traveled 399 feet. The second baseman then followed with another two-run shot to right, this time off Brenton Fisher, that just cleared the 18.55-foot high wall in the ninth inning to draw State College within a pair and finish a 3-for-4 game.
State College fell behind early as Trenton took a bases-empty, two out situation in the first and put the next nine men on base via seven hits and two walks to produce a seven-run frame. The Thunder then added a run in the third before the Spikes showed signs of life with Ethan Mendoza’s triple and an Elie Kligman sacrifice fly putting them on the board. State College added another tally on Cade Climie’s RBI single later in the inning.
Trenton starter Chase Jeter (1-0) earned the win after allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings of work. State College starter Kelan Hoover (0-1) took the loss after going just one inning. Hoover had tossed four no-hit innings in his first start of the year on Thursday at Williamsport.
Mendoza and Aden Howard each added multi-hit games for the Spikes.
Tuesday, the Spikes and Thunder meet in the middle game of their three-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Right-hander Caden Kaelber (0-0) will get the ball for State College with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch, while Trenton is scheduled to send right-hander Devin Rivera (0-0) to the hill.
It’s a Walking Taco Tuesday at the ballpark presented by Bigfoot Country Legends as fans can get half-price Walking Tacos all game long at the Salsa concession stand and other designated ballpark locations. Plus, fans can enjoy a Salute to the ‘60s on a Timeless Tuesday.
The Spikes will finish up their series against Trenton with Grad Night, featuring half-price seats for any recent graduate in a cap and gown, on a Wine Wednesday presented by Seven Mountains Wine Cellars andWOWY Radio, with half-price wine from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for Tuesday’s game and every game remaining 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. until the end of the game on Saturday.
Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets, and view the full 2023 promotional schedule, by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
More ticket packages, including Flex Books and an array of group and hospitality options for the 2023 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.
