UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The State College Spikes are now just over 2,000 fans away from surpassing a total attendance of two million in the franchise’s history at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park after Friday’s game against the Trenton Thunder during the Two Millionth Fan Celebration.
The Spikes will officially eclipse the two million mark with more than 2,019 fans at Saturday’s 6:35 p.m. home game against Trenton, though the Two Millionth Fan Celebration will last through Sunday, July 3 to extend the opportunity for even more fans to join the fun.
Fans have been entering to become the Spikes’ commemorative Two Millionth Fan at the Lion Country Kia table on the concourse, with one finalist for the honors drawn at each of the six home games from June 23 to July 3. One additional finalist will be drawn from the Spikes’ array of season ticket holders, and all finalists will be invited onto the field after the Spikes’ home game on Sunday, July 3, where one fan will be named the Spikes’ commemorative Two Millionth Fan.
The Spikes’ commemorative Two Millionth Fan will receive the Two Millionth Fan Ultimate Lifetime Prize Pack, which includes Spikes season tickets for life for the seat of their choice in the ballpark, a Shopping Spree at the Spikes’ official team store, Off the Rack Outfitters, a guaranteed 20-person Luxury Suite night in the Geisinger Champions Club at one Spikes home game per season for life, a guarantee to receive all remaining 2022 Spikes giveaways, and many more sensational prizes befitting the Two Millionth Fan.
In game action on Friday, State College’s (7-12) five pitchers each put together quality efforts, allowing just four hits and only one earned run while striking out a team-high 13 batters in the game despite a 3-2 loss.
The Spikes took the opening lead in the first inning as Lyndon Weaver led off with a triple and scored on Miles Simington’s single to left-center field. Trenton (11-9) then tied the game on Dalton Davis’s RBI double in the third, with John Cristino’s sacrifice fly in the fourth putting the Thunder ahead.
State College bounced back to tie the game in the seventh when Jake DeFries drew a two-out walk, stole second base and scored on Weaver’s RBI single to center.
In the ninth, Trenton took the lead for good without the benefit of a hit as Jovani Wiggs walked, stole second, took third on a subsequent error, and scored on a wild pitch.
Weaver, Simington and Alex Toral each recorded multi-hit games for the Spikes.
Spikes reliever Christian Wall (0-1) took the loss after allowing an unearned run in the ninth. Wall struck out two batters in his lone inning of work.
Ryan Figueroa (2-0) finished the game to earn the win for Trenton. Figueroa yielded one hit while striking out three batters over two innings on the hill.
The Spikes will finish off their six-night homestand with the finale of their three-game series against Trenton in what will be a milestone game on Saturday. State College is scheduled to send right-hander Brock Blatter (0-0) to the mound for his fourth start of the season, while the Thunder are scheduled to go with right-hander Cole Patten (0-0).
The skies will light up after Saturday’s game with a spectacular post-game FIREWORKS show presented by The Meadows on a Super Saturday presented by the PA Lottery and B94.5. Fans will have numerous chances to win big throughout the night, including through another edition of Baseball Bingo.
It’s also First Responders Night at Medlar Field, honoring our brave police, fire and EMT personnel in Happy Valley. All first responders can receive half-price tickets by using promo code RESPOND in person, by phone at 814-272-1711, and online at StateCollegeSpikes.com.
After the game, it’s another Kids Run the Bases Home Run Edition presented by Mount Nittany Health.
Tickets for every game in the Two Millionth Fan Celebration, as well as every game 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, 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 on Saturday 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.
