UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – On a night when the State College Spikes and their fans gave Sean Clifford a Happy Valley sendoff, the Spikes bounced back from a seven-run deficit to defeat the Frederick Keys, 13-9, and tie the all-time franchise record for largest comeback on Saturday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Clifford, the quarterback who set career school records for passing yards, passing touchdowns, completions, pass attempts and completion percentage in the Blue and White, signed autographs for almost two hours as he celebrated his 25th birthday weekend at the ballpark before heading to training camp in Green Bay.
The first 1,000 fans snapped up their Sean Clifford Bobblehead Giveaway, presented by Lion Country Kia, and several fans also scooped up his Limited Edition 1923 VIP Bobblehead as part of a special ticket package.
Clifford also threw out the ceremonial first pitch of the night, as well as teaming up with Spikes President and General Manager Scott Walker for a water balloon launch to help a fan win PA Lottery tickets as part of Super Saturday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
In game action, the Spikes (4-3 2nd Half) found themselves trailing the Keys (2-4 2nd Half) 9-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning but got it all back in one fell swoop with a seven-run frame keyed by four straight hits at one stretch and a two-out, two-run single from Josh Leslie that tied the game.
Bellefonte native Logan Mathieu then stepped up in the fifth inning with two outs and runners on first and second to launch a double into the gap in right-center field to break the tie.
Mathieu, who won the 2016 PIAA Class 3A state title at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park with his teammates at Bellefonte Area High School, was part of the festivities as the Spikes celebrated Bellefonte’s 2023 PIAA Class 4A state championship team that also earned their crown at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
The Spikes added two more insurance runs in the eighth inning to salt away the win on Carlos Contreras’s third hit of the night, a single to the right side.
The seven-run comeback equaled the Spikes’ surge back from a 7-0 first-inning deficit to defeat the Auburn Doubledays on August 24, 2018 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Marques Paige reached base six times in the game, going 2-for-2 with a double and drawing three walks while also being hit by a pitch. Paige knocked in a pair of runs as well.
Leslie went 3-for-5 at the plate and drove in three runs.
State College reliever Xander Lovin (1-0 2nd Half) ended up with the win after going a total of 2 1/3 innings on the mound. Justin Miller followed Lovin with three scoreless innings in which he recorded five strikeouts to earn credit for a hold.
The Spikes’ defense helped the staff by turning four double plays in the game, upping their second-half total to 11 over seven games together.
Frederick reliever Cameron Hagan (0-1 2nd Half) took the loss after yielding four runs on four hits, a walk and two hit batsmen over two innings. Hagan struck out two batters in the effort.
Kirkland Banks produced a four-hit game for the Keys that included a double.
Sunday, the Spikes will seek the sweep as they take on the Keys in the finale of their three-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. State College will send right-hander Derrick Cherry (1-0 2nd Half) to the mound, while Frederick is slated to go with newly arrived right-hander Hunter Viets.
The weekend is capped off by a Baseball Barbie celebration at the ballpark as part of a Sunday Funday presented by BIG Froggy 101, with all fans named Barb or Ken receiving half-price tickets for any seat except Rail Kings, suites or picnics.
The festivities also include a Sunday Pre-Game Catch on the Field presented by curavetti. The first 100 kids for the Pre-Game Catch on the Field will also get a Spikes Youth Baseball Glove presented by curavetti.
Plus, Kids Eat Free on Sunday with the first 250 kids receiving a voucher good for a free hot dog, chips and soda, and Half-Price Hard Seltzers are available for fans of age from 3-5 p.m.
And to top off the day, all kids 14 and under will be able to participate in a Kids Run the Bases Home Run Edition presented by Mount Nittany Health.
Tickets for Sunday, as well as every game remaining on the second half of the Spikes’ largest 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 10 a.m. through the end of the game on Saturday and Sunday.
Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets, and view the full 2023 promotional schedule, by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
More ticket packages, including Flex Books and an array of group and hospitality options for the 2023 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 the action of the Spikes’ game on Sunday via the Spikes Radio Network presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics with Steve Jones and Joe Putnamon 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 3:35 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.
