The Major League Baseball Draft League announced on Tuesday that State College Spikes right-hander Louis Davenport III was named the MLB Draft League Pitcher of the Week for the week of August 15-21.
Davenport tied the Spikes’ all-time single-game record with 12 strikeouts against Mahoning Valley on Tuesday, August 16. The right-hander out of Marshall returned to Happy Valley after leading the Spikes in innings pitched for the 2021 season. Davenport recorded seven of his strikeouts over an eight-batter span from the third through fifth innings before notching his 12th strikeout on a swinging strike three from **Adam Fogel **in the sixth inning.
The Atlanta native joined Jacob Schlesener, who notched 12 strikeouts on July 3, 2019 at the Batavia Muckdogs, in the Spikes record book. Davenport logged a total of 5 2/3 innings on the night and allowed four hits, two walks and a hit batsman while being charged with an unearned run that scored after he left the mound.
Davenport is scheduled to make his next start right back at the scene of his triumph this Tuesday night at Eastwood Field against Mahoning Valley. For the 2022 season, Davenport has posted 32 strikeouts to 11 walks over 22 2/3 innings.
Davenport joins a pair of first-half Spikes on the honor roll for the MLB Draft League Pitcher of the Week Award. Josh Mollerus took the crown for the week of July 11-17 to finish the first half, while Mason Olson garnered the accolade for the week of July 4-10.
Other previous recipients include Frederick’s Ryan Langford (August 8-14), Williamsport’s Nick Meyer (August 1-7), West Virginia’s Jeremy Cook (July 22-31), Trenton’s Dan Kiritsis (June 27-July 3), West Virginia’s Max Alba (June 13-19) and Trey Braithwaite (June 20-26), and Trenton’s K.C. Hunt (June 6-12)
Davenport will return home with the Spikes this coming Saturday to start a season-ending eight-game homestand at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
The Spikes will return home to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for a set of six home games in seven days starting on Monday, July 25 with a 6:35 p.m. matchup against the Williamsport Crosscutters. It will be Christmas in July at the ballpark with a special appearance by Santa Claus, and fans can help support a great cause on Jared Box Night. Plus, fans can get into the game with $1 outfield bleacher seats, then enjoy $1 hot dogs and $1 popcorn all game long on the last Buck Monday of the season.
Highlights of the upcoming homestand include two bobblehead giveaways, with both subjects also appearing at the ballpark on their respective bobblehead nights. Two-time NCAA wrestling champion Roman Bravo-Young will meet and greet fans, sign autographs and more on Saturday, August 27 when his bobblehead goes to the first 1,000 fans of all ages, presented by McClure Company.
Plus, Michael Mauti, the heart and soul of the 2012 “Iron Lions,” will be on hand as part of the night’s activities on Saturday, September 3, with his bobblehead also going to the first 1,000 fans of all ages, presented by Penn State Health.
In addition, fans will be thrilled by the chance to see spectacular displays light up the Happy Valley skies from the ballpark infield as part of FIREWORKS from the Field, with McClure Company presenting the show on Saturday, August 27 and Starfire Corporation presenting the show on Sunday, September 4 at the Fan Appreciation Night regular season finale presented by Lion Country Kia.
More highlights include the Spikes Hockey Jersey-off-the-Back Auction presented by PSECU benefiting Children’s Miracle Network on Hockey Night in Happy Valley, which will take place on Sunday, August 28, and the last Bark in the Park of the season, presented by the Centre Daily Times, on Friday, September 2.
The full slate of Daily Fan Value Promotions will also be available, including two more Super Saturdays thanks to the PA Lottery and B94.5.
Tickets for each of the eight games 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. 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.
