GRANVILLE, W. Va. – Despite the second 16-strikeout performance from their pitching staff in a week, the State College Spikes dropped a 5-3 decision to the West Virginia Black Bears on Monday night at Kendrick Family Ballpark to remain 1 ½ games back of the Aberdeen IronBirds in the race for the second-half berth in the MLB Draft League Championship Game.
With Aberdeen’s loss to the Williamsport Crosscutters on Monday, the Spikes (21-18 2nd Half) kept pace in the race to oppose the Crosscutters in the title tilt on Wednesday, September 2 at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field. Both the Spikes and IronBirds have seven games remaining on their regular season slates.
The Spikes’ 16 whiffs from Caleb Ruter, Josh Gentile (1-1), Zach Kilby, Lex Kenny and Patrick Morris matched their total from Friday night against Trenton and their third such effort of the season. State College pitchers also recorded 16 strikeouts on June 17 against the Canadian Junior National Team.
While the Spikes were able to avert one comeback bid from the Black Bears (18-22 2nd Half), Jackson Trout’s two-out, two-run double in the fifth gave West Virginia the lead for good.
After CJ Richmond gave State College a 2-0 lead in the third with a blistering two-out, two-run single to center field clocked at over 110 miles per hour, West Virginia tied it up in the fourth with Ian Collier’s RBI single and Owen Petrich’s ground-rule double. However, Gentile (1-1) got the Spikes out of trouble in a bases-loaded, one-out situation with a strikeout and ground ball fielder’s choice.
Camden Ross, who set a new Spikes franchise record by being hit with a pitch for the 21st time this season on Sunday night, then restored the lead to State College with a run-scoring single in the fifth, taking his RBI count to 44 for this season.
In the bottom of the fifth, though, three straight walks, the last with the bases loaded to Alec DeMartino, resulted in Gentile’s departure. Two batters later, Trout doubled off Kilby to complete the scoring.
Tyler Kaltreider (4-1) ended up the winning pitching after starting and going five innings for the Black Bears. Kaltreider allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six batters. Dawson Hall (5) pitched a perfect ninth for the save.
Tuesday night, the Spikes complete their series in West Virginia with a 6:00 p.m. matchup against the Black Bears at Kendrick Family Ballpark. Right-hander Trey Cehajic (2-2), who went a season long six innings against Trenton in his last outing on Thursday, gets the ball for State College to oppose West Virginia right-hander Malik Abdul (0-1).
After an off day on Wednesday, the Spikes will return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Thursday night for the opener of a six-game series against the Williamsport Crosscutters to round out the regular season.
The skies will light up with a fantastic FIREWORKS show presented by Mount Nittany Health and the first 1,000 fans will receive a Nookie Monster Bobblehead Giveaway presented by McClure Company. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. with early entry for Season Ticket holders and groups.
Plus, fans can participate in Music Bingo at the ballpark, presented by Timberland Federal Credit Union. Fans can pickMusic Bingo cards on their way into Medlar Field at Lubrano Park and listen for the walk-up music for players from both teams in the game - if you get BINGO, head to the Giant Customer Service Center for your fantastic prize.
It’s also a Thirsty Thursday presented by The BUS, with 12-oz. drafts just $2 apiece from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for all three home games remaining on the 20th Anniversary Season schedule, all now featuring FIREWORKS, 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 Black Bears on Tuesday via the Spikes Radio Network presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics with Joe Putnam on the call. The broadcast starts with Spikes Live! presented by Mount Nittany Health on the air from Kendrick Family Ballpark starting at approximately 5:45 p.m.
Audio streaming of every Spikes game, home and away, is available on StateCollegeSpikes.com.
