TRENTON, N.J. – Camden Ross matched Rowan Wick’s State College Spikes franchise record by reaching base in his 26th straight game and the Spikes batted around in each of the first two innings en route to a 12-6 win over the Trenton Thunder on Friday night at Trenton Thunder Ballpark.
With the win, the Spikes (17-13 2nd Half) closed to within a half-game of the Aberdeen IronBirds for the lead in the MLB Draft League’s second-half standings with 17 games remaining on the schedule for all teams.
Ross validated his Spikes record-tying effort by reaching base five times with a double, two walks and two times hit by pitch, knocking in his 37th run of the season in the process. The streak, which equals the string Wick put together over his last 26 games with the Spikes in 2014, also ties Ross with Nick Barone of Williamsport for the longest on-base streak in the MLB Draft League this season.
The Spikes sent 10 batters to the plate in the first inning and nine more up in the second, scoring four runs in each frame. State College increased its lead to as much as 12-0 on Jett Buck’s two-run single in the sixth before coasting home.
Haden Luke bolstered the Spikes’ offense with the best start of the season on the mound. Luke tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings, matching the longest outing of the year for any State College pitcher, and posted a new season-best total for strikeouts in a Spikes pitching appearance with nine. Luke allowed just four hits and a walk in 91 pitches to earn the win.
Ryan Rivera collected three hits and knocked in two runs to help the State College attack.
Trenton (14-15 2nd Half) starter Blake Donnan (0-1) took the loss after being charged with eight runs on four hits and seven walks over 1 1/3 innings for the Thunder, who were playing under their Pork Roll alternate identity.
The Spikes look to continue their momentum on Saturday night when they meet the Thunder for the second game of their three-game series at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. The 6:00 p.m. matchup will feature left-hander Jackson Mayo (3-1) on the mound for State College against Trenton right-hander Billy Morris (3-2).
After road trip concludes on Sunday with a 5:00 p.m. game in Trenton, the Spikes will return home on Tuesday, August 18 for a five-game homestand at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
All five games will start at 6:35 p.m. and fans can enjoy a quintet of Daily Value Promotions, starting with a pair of matchups against the Williamsport Crosscutters on a Walking Taco Tuesday presented by Bigfoot Country Legends and a Glizzy & Wine Wednesday presented by Seven Mountains Wine Cellars.
The Spikes will then face the Thunder for a three-game series from August 20-22, including a Thirsty Thursday presented by The BUS and a 4-Pack Friday presented by 93.7 3WZ before finishing with FIREWORKS along with a 20th Anniversary Season Poster Giveaway on Saturday, August 22.
Tickets for the upcoming homestand, along with all eight remaining home games on the 20th Anniversary 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 Thunder on Saturday via the Spikes Radio Network presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics with Joe Putnam on the call. The broadcast starts with Spikes Live! presented by Mount Nittany Health on the air from Trenton Thunder Ballpark starting at approximately 5:45 p.m.
Audio streaming of every Spikes game, home and away, is available on StateCollegeSpikes.com.
