UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The State College Spikes came back from a 4-0 deficit to tie their next-to-last home game of the 2023 season, but the Williamsport Crosscutters scored just under the wire to take a 5-4 win after six completed innings when rain halted the contest Tuesday night at Meldar Field at Lubrano Park.
The game was stopped after the first batter of the seventh inning when the showers intensified at the ballpark.
Down four runs in the fourth inning, the Spikes (22-21 2nd Half) got on the board with three straight singles, the last by Braedon Blackford to bring in Brennen Dorighi.
In the fifth, the Spikes put together a rally as drops started to fall at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Williamsport (17-25 2nd Half) starter Shaun Gamelin, a two-time Major League Baseball Draft League Pitcher of the Week who had retired the first six batters of the game, walked Caleb Marquez and Zac Vooletich before Carlos Contreras tripled past diving center fielder Brayland Skinner to bring State College within 4-3.
Dorighi then tied the game with a single up the middle to bring in Contreras with the tying run before reliever David Mata (1-0) evaded a bases-loaded, one-out situation to keep the game tied.
The Crosscutters then took the lead for good in the sixth when Skinner led off with a walk off Spikes reliever Kerry Wright (0-1), then scored from first on Tyler Lasch’s single to the right side despite Lasch being thrown out at second by right fielder Dorighi.
Mata pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings and walked two batters in the victorious effort. Wright took the loss after walking two batters and allowing two hits in one inning.
Wednesday, the Spikes and Crosscutters shift the scene to Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport for the middle game of their three-game set. Right-hander Sebastian Rodriguez (1-1), who carries a 1.78 ERA in nine appearances, including five starts, gets the ball for State College. Williamsport is scheduled to start right-hander Jake Norris (0-2).
The Spikes will then come back home for their final home game of the 2023 season at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. when they face the Crosscutters for Fan Appreciation Night presented by Lion Country Kia. Fans will be able to enjoy one more FIREWORKS From the Field show, a Salute to Summer Vibes presented by the official FIREWORKS provider of the Spikes, Starfire Corporation.
It’s also THON Night at the ballpark as we begin the drive towards THON 2024 with activities to raise money and awareness, including a portion of ticket proceeds from THON tickets, all #ForTheKids.
Plus, it’s a $1 Beer Night at Thirsty Thursday, presented by The BUS, with $1 12-oz. select drafts and $2 12-oz. craft drafts from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
After the game will be the final Kids Run the Bases Home Run Edition presented by Mount Nittany Health, with all fans invited to join kids 12 and under for one last jaunt around the bases from home plate to home plate.
Tickets for Thursday’s home finale are available now. Tickets can be purchased by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting the Spikes Ticket Office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m. until the end of the game Thursday.
Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets, and view the promotional schedule, by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
In addition, you can make your plans to be at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park this Labor Day weekend as the ballpark will host Happy Valley Music Fest, produced by Chautauqua Region Music Alliance, on Sunday, September 3. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band will headline the lineup along with Vanessa Collier for the return of this community concert event, with local favorites Donny Burns & the Third Degree, Chris Bell Band and Sidewinder rounding out the bill.
All tickets for the Happy Valley Music Fest at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park will be in digital form and are now on sale at StateCollegeSpikes.com. The stage for Happy Valley Music Fest will be on the field, with general admission digital tickets available for $20 with access to the field as well as seats in the main seating bowl.
The full slate of concessions will be available at the ballpark for fans throughout the event, with ballpark gates opening at 12:30 p.m.
Parking is available in the Porter North, Jordan East, and Stadium West parking lots. Parking can be purchased in advance until Saturday, September 2 at 11:59 p.m. for $5.50 at https://psu.parkmobile.io/medlar-field-lubrano-park. Day of parking will be available for $10 at the above link, and at ParkMobile Zone 95112. Penn State parking permits are valid in the commuter lots at no additional charge.
Catch all the action of the Spikes’ game on Wednesday 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 Muncy Bank Ballpark starting at approximately 6:20 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.
