UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The State College Spikes overcame a six-run deficit and put together a hit parade in the middle innings to propel themselves to an 11-9 win over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Thursday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Down 7-1 going into the bottom of the fourth, the Spikes (3-3 2nd half) plated ten unanswered runs - four in the fourth, four in the fifth and two in the sixth – to take the lead.
Trent Taylor started the comeback with a sacrifice fly in the fourth and drove in another with a single in the sixth, his second hit of the night. Ryan Chesney also played a key role, knocking in a run with a groundout in the fourth and driving in another with his own single in the sixth.
Dawson Bailey provided a spark at the top of the order for State College as well, going 3-for-4 with a time hit by pitch. Bailey, a Niagara product, also produced two RBI’s, scored two runs and stole a base.
Josh Madole reached base four times with two hits and two walks, and scored three runs in the Spikes’ middle-inning explosion.
The Spikes were also kept afloat by great relief pitching. After Louis Davenport III started and took the first four innings on the mound, Jayson Summers (1-0) bounced back from a difficult outing to toss three scoreless frames for the win. Summers, out of the Division II Academy of Art University in California, allowed two hits and a hit batsman while striking out four hitters in the process.
Tristen Hudson allowed the first baserunners of his Spikes career and gave up two runs, one of theme earned, but held Mahoning Valley to two hits over two innings while striking out one batter to lock down the win.
Mahoning Valley built its lead on Ron Washington’s RBI single and Gabe Gonzalez’s two-run double in the first, then increased it with Dom Bucko’s single in the fourth and back-to-back homers from Jeffrey Wehler and Washington in the same frame. Wehler’s homer, his second of the season, drove in two runs before Washington’s solo shot, his first of the year.
In the ninth, Parker DePasquale went deep to left-center field for a two-run shot, his first MLB Draft League homer, to draw Mahoning Valley within two, but the Scrappers would get no further.
Mahoning Valley reliever Jan Figueroa (0-1) took the loss after allowing six runs on five hits and six walks over 1 2/3 innings. Figueroa struck out two batters in the effort.
Friday, the Spikes and Scrappers play the second game of their four-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The 6:35 p.m. matchup will feature right-hander Jared Kengott (0-0 2nd half, 1-1 overall) on the mound for State College against Mahoning Valley righty Jacob Harsany (0-0, 1-1)
It will be another huge night at the ballpark, led by the return of FIREWORKS from the Field. The inaugural edition of the 2022 version will be presented by Penn State Health.
All fans are invited to come down onto the infield at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to see the skies light up at the final five FIREWORKS presentations of the 2022 season from the Spikes and their official FIREWORKS provider, Starfire Corporation.
Friday will also be the first bobblehead giveaway of the season with the Wally Triplett "We Are" Talking Bobblehead presented by Boyles Insurance. The bobblehead, crafted in consultation with Triplett's family, will go to the first 1,000 fans of all ages at Friday's game. In addition to featuring the legendary back in a pose reminiscent of his performance in the 1948 Cotton Bowl, which gave rise to the use of "We Are" as a unifying cry across Nittany Nation, the bobblehead will feature a button that will play "We Are" whenever pressed.
It's also the second part of the Spikes’ Salute to the Hospitality Industry, honoring hospitality workers in Happy Valley who have kept the industry running in our area. Plus, it’s Philipsburg-Osceola Community Night with a FREE Geisinger Kids Zone! presented by Friends of Jake Corman.
After the game, the fun also includes Kids Run the Bases Home Run Edition presented by Mount Nittany Health.
Fans will also get the chance to support great causes this coming weekend. Saturday, July 30, join us to raise funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer at the annual Paint the Park Pink Night presented by Mount Nittany Health. The Spikes wear special Pink and Black Jerseys which go up for bids in a Jersey-off-the-Back Auction benefiting the Mount Nittany Health Foundation, available soon on the LiveSource app. The night is capped off with another FIREWORKS from the Field display.
Then on Sunday, July 31, Still Strong Night will take place during the Spikes’ 4:05 p.m. game with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, and feature a special appearance from foundation co-founder, former NFL defensive lineman and proud Blue & White alum Devon Still. In addition to Still throwing out a first pitch and being part of the night’s activities, proceeds from the Spikes’ 50/50 drawing for the night will go to the Still Strong Foundation, and fans will have many ways to find out how to support the foundation and its cause.
More highlights include Scout Night and Penns Valley Community Night on Saturday, and another FREE Geisinger Kids Zone! night presented by Friends of Jake Corman on Saturday.
Tickets for every game in the second half of 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. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets, and view the full 2022 promotional schedule, at the only source for authentic Spikes tickets online by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
More ticket packages, including Flex Books and an array of group and hospitality options for the 2022 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.
Catch all of the action of the Spikes’ game on Friday 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 at approximately 6:10 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.
