UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Jett Buck and Elie Kligman drove in three runs apiece and Jacoby Long knocked in two runs along with making two outstanding catches in center field to help the State College Spikes keep pace in the MLB Draft League second-half title race with a 9-7 win over the Williamsport Crosscutters on Tuesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
With the win, the Spikes (18-15 2nd Half) stayed two games back of the first-place Aberdeen IronBirds with 13 games remaining on their 2026 schedule.
Williamsport (19-15 2nd Half) currently sits 1 ½ games back but has already clinched the host berth in the MLB Draft League Championship Game by winning the season’s first half and would cede the game’s other berth to the second-half runner-up if they finish atop the table.
The Spikes built a 7-1 lead behind a bevy of offensive contributions. Buck knocked in State College’s first run to tie the game at 1-1 with a double in the second, then provided a two-run single to cap a four-run third. Long also delivered a two-run single in the third, with Kligman adding a two-run double of his own in the fifth.
Long also deprived Williamsport of two would-be hits, leaping against the center field wall to rob Trey Wells in the second before diving to take away a Nicholas Romano single in the third.
Williamsport mounted a comeback aided by James McCoy’s two-run homer, his seventh of the season, to right-center field in the sixth and Matthew Williams’s two-run shot, also his seventh homer of the year, off the center-field batter’s eye in the seventh. However, Patrick Morris (6) scattered three hits and struck out two batters to earn a seven-out save for the Spikes.
Zach Kilby (4-2) struck out five of the first six batters he faced while giving up two runs on one hit and one walk over two innings for the win.
Crosscutters starter Ryker Walton (3-3) took the loss after being charged with five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 2 2/3 innings.
Wednesday, the Spikes finish their two-game mini-series against the Crosscutters with a 6:35 p.m. matchup at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Left-hander Caleb Ruter (1-2) will take the mound for State College against Williamsport right-hander Josh Willitts (3-0).
Fans can enjoy the fun of the last Glizzy and Wine Wednesday presented by Seven Mountains Wine Cellars of the 20th Anniversary Season schedule, featuring half-price Hot Dogs all game long and half-price Seven Mountains Wine Cellars wine and Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy for fans of age from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Spikes will then face the Trenton Thunder for a three-game series from August 20-22 to continue the homestand, 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 and figures from the Spikes’ first 20 seasons, for the first 500 fans on Saturday, August 22.
Tickets for the four games remaining on the homestand, along with all seven remaining home games on the 20thAnniversary 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 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 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.
