UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Dawson Bailey started the game with a single and later added a double, but the State College Spikes were limited to just three hits as a team in an 8-1 defeat at the hands of the Williamsport Crosscutters at the second-half home opener on Monday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Bailey, who set several hitting records at Niagara University, collected his second double with the Spikes (2-2 2nd half) in the sixth, but was stranded at third base.
In between Bailey’s hits, Williamsport (3-0 2nd half) starting pitcher Jarret Whorff (1-0) retired 16 of 17 batters, and finished his 6 1/3 innings on the hill having allowed just two walks while striking out four batters.
Marques Paige collected the Spikes’ third hit, a double in the eighth inning. State College scored its lone run in the ninth when Ryan Chesney walked, moved to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on a groundout, and scored on an error.
The Crosscutters took the lead on Travis Holt’s two-run triple, his first of two on the night, in the fourth. Holt went 3-for-4 while bringing in a total of three runs and scoring three himself. Jesse Hall also collected three hits for Williamsport, including a double.
Spikes starter J.D. Daniels (0-1), making his debut with the club, allowed three runs on four hits, six walks and a hit batsman over 5 2/3 innings in the loss. Daniels struck out three batters in the effort.
Fans were in the holiday spirit despite the defeat during the Spikes’ Christmas in July celebration. The Jared Box Project collected new unwrapped toys for their Toy Drive, while Santa Claus himself came down from the North Pole to join the fun as well.
Tuesday, the Spikes continue their stretch of six home games in seven days with a 6:35 p.m. matchup against the Crosscutters at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Beau Nichols (0-0), a right-hander out of Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.) who struck out 11 batters over seven innings of one-hit ball in his last start for Madison of the Northwoods League, makes his second appearance and first start for the Spikes. Williamsport is set to throw debuting left-hander Brandon Kaminer on the hill.
It's Couples Night at the ballpark, as well as $2 Walking Taco Tuesday presented by WOWY, with the ever-popular Walking Tacos just $2 each at the beefed-up Salsa stand behind home plate.
Following a road game in Williamsport on Wednesday, the Spikes start the second part of their home stretch on Thursday as they begin a four-game series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
Fans will enjoy the chance to once again enjoy dazzling FIREWORKS spectaculars from a unique vantage point as FIREWORKS from the Field returns for each of the five remaining shows on the 2022 home schedule.
Starting with a FIREWORKS Weekend that features back-to-back shows on Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30, all fans are invited to come down onto the infield at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to see the skies light up with each of these special presentations from the Spikes and their official FIREWORKS provider, Starfire Corporation. Friday’s show after the 6:35 p.m. game against Mahoning Valley is presented by Penn State 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.
Friday will 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.
More highlights include an appearance by social media superstar and top Happy Valley hooper Anna Camden during TikTok Night on Thursday, Philipsburg-Osceola Community Night on Friday, Scout Night and Penns Valley Community Night on Saturday, and a pair of FREE Geisinger Kids Zone! nights presented by Friends of Jake Corman this weekend.
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 Tuesday 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.
