TRENTON, N.J. – Down 6-2 entering the ninth inning, the State College Spikes rallied to bring the tying run to the plate before falling to the Trenton Thunder, 6-3, in a Sunday night series finale at Trenton Thunder Ballpark.
The Spikes (17-15 2nd Half) now sit 1 ½ games back of the Aberdeen IronBirds for first place in the second-half standings with 14 games remaining in the MLB Draft League season, while the Thunder (16-15 2nd Half) now sit two games back.
Jacoby Long’s RBI double in the ninth brought the Spikes within three runs, and after Justin Journete singled, Blake Bradford came up as the tying run. However, Justin Williams recorded the game-ending strikeout for Trenton.
Camden Ross extended his Spikes record on-base streak to 28 games with an RBI double off the left-center field wall in the first inning.
Trenton starter Jackson Thomas (2-2) went seven innings to earn the win for the second straight outing. Thomas allowed two runs, one of them earned, on four hits, four walks and a hit batsman while striking out three batters.
Spikes starter Pablo Torres (0-2) was tagged with the loss after being charged with six runs, five of them earned, on five hits and a walk over four innings of work. Torres struck out two batters in the effort.
Vincent Spizzoucco concluded State College’s pitching night by striking out the side in order in the eighth.
After an off day on the schedule Monday, the Spikes return to action at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, where they are 11-4 in the second half and 29-10 overall in the 2026 season, for the opener of a five-game homestand on Tuesday night against the Williamsport Crosscutters. The 6:35 p.m. matchup will be the opener of a two-game series between the Spikes and the MLB Draft League’s first-half champions.
The homestand begins with Walking Taco Tuesday presented by Bigfoot Country Legends, featuring half-price Walking Tacos at the Salsa concession stand all game long, plus a half-price Miller Lite and Coors Light Happy Hourfor fans of age from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Fans can enjoy a quintet of Daily Value Promotions during the homestand that runs through Saturday, continuing with a Glizzy & Wine Wednesday presented by Seven Mountains Wine Cellar to finish the series against the Crosscutters.
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 provided by Starfire Corporation along with a 20th Anniversary Season Poster Giveaway, featuring top players from the Spikes’ first 20 seasons, for the first 500 fans 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 Crosscutters 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 starting at approximately 6:05 p.m.
Audio streaming of every Spikes game, home and away, is available on StateCollegeSpikes.com.
