TRENTON, N.J. – The State College Spikes extended their winning streak to four games in a row behind home runs from Will Simpson and Ty Hill in a 12-8 victory over the Trenton Thunder on Saturday night at Trenton Thunder Ballpark.
The Spikes (6-8) exploded for their third consecutive double-digit scoring effort starting in the fourth inning against defending MLB Draft League Pitcher of the Week K.C. Hunt (0-1). Hunt had retired nine straight batters and allowed only one baserunner via error before hitting Hill with a pitch and yielding his first hit on a Miles Simington single.
Tyler Williams followed Simington with a two-run double to tie the game before Simpson smashed a two-run homer to left-center on a 1-2 pitch for his second long ball in as many games, giving the Spikes a 4-2 lead. The University of Washington first baseman nearly added another dinger in the sixth but settled for a wall-ball double.
State College extended the advantage with five runs in the sixth, starting with Hill’s home run off Devin Millbergon the very first pitch of the frame. Owen Ayers plated two runs with a looping single up the middle before Damian Ortiz drove in another with a groundout. The Spikes finished off the inning by scoring another run on one of Trenton’s (6-8) five errors in the game to make it 9-2.
The Thunder rallied to close the margin to 9-6, but the Spikes took advantage of four walks, an error and an Ayers sacrifice fly to add some insurance.
State College starter Brock Blatter struck out five batters over 2 2/3 innings, yielding two runs on five hits and a walk. Tyler Jeans (3-0) took over for Blatter in the third and retired seven of the eight batters he faced over 2 1/3 innings, including four via strikeout, to earn the win. Jeans, a right-hander out of Arkansas State, gave up just one hit and now leads the MLB Draft League in pitching wins.
Tyler Hoffman, a right-hander out of Tulane who joined the Spikes on Friday, made his debut with the club as he tossed a scoreless, one-hit seventh with two strikeouts.
John Cristino went 3-for-5 to help power the Trenton offense. The Thunder outhit the Spikes on the night, 14-6.
Hunt took the loss, his first decision in the MLB Draft League, after being charged with four runs on three hits and a hit batsman while striking out six batters over four innings.
Sunday, the Spikes complete their road trip as they seek a sweep of the Thunder in a 1:00 p.m. matinee matchup at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. Left-hander Mason Olson (0-0), the BYU commit who has yet to allow an earned run over his first 11 innings with the Spikes, will get the ball for State College. Trenton is set to start right-hander Cole Patten (0-0), who has given up just one run over his first eight innings for a 1.13 earned run average.
Following the weekend series against the Thunder, the Spikes will start a six-game homestand from Monday, June 20 through Saturday, June 25 aft Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Highlights of the homestand include Yoga Night on International Yoga Day, with a Yoga Night Ticket Package, featuring admission to Pregame Yoga in Porter Gardens presented by TriYoga of Central Pennsylvania, on PA Bus Association Night this Tuesday, June 21, the return of Thirsty Thursday on Singles Night Thursday, June 23, and a fantastic post-game FIREWORKS show presented by The Meadows on First Responders Night Saturday, June 25.
In addition, the Spikes are giving fans the opportunity to get their tickets at half-price for select theme nights during the upcoming homestand.
The half-price fun beings on Tuesday, June 21, with PA Bus Association Night, celebrating 100 years of the PA Bus Association. All bus drivers can get half-price tickets in person, by phone or online with promo code WHEEL.
Then on Wednesday, June 22, it's our Salute to Educators, and everyone in our local education systems can enjoy half-price tickets by using promo code APPLE in person, by phone or online.
On Friday, June 24, the slate of half-price nights continues on Jersey Night, when the Spikes take on the Trenton Thunder. Fans can get half-price tickets for that game by wearing a jersey to the game, presenting a form of New Jersey ID, or by using promo code JERSEY.
Finally, on Saturday, June 25, it's First Responders Night at Medlar Field, and we're showing our appreciation for the brave police, fire and EMT personnel in our communities by offering them half-price tickets in person, by phone and online with promo code RESPOND.
All half-price specials exclude Rail Kings seats, Pepsi Picnic Pavilion seats and Geisinger Champions Club luxury suites.
Tickets for the Spikes’ next homestand, 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 Sunday 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 Trenton Thunder Ballpark at 12:45 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.
