WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – For the first time since the franchise’s inception in 2006, the State College Spikes are starting a season 4-0 after defeating the Williamsport Crosscutters, 9-5, on Sunday afternoon at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field.
Three previous Spikes teams – the 2013, 2014 and 2019 editions – each started 3-1, but this year’s squad etched its name into the club’s record books by outscoring the Crosscutters (0-4) 31-12 in a sweep of a season-opening set.
The Spikes took a 2-0 lead in the second on an RBI double from Robby Morgan IV and a Tyler Wilson single to score Morgan. State College extended the advantage to 4-0 in the fourth on 17-year-old Addison Smith’s two-out, two-run single to center field.
Williamsport fought back with the first home run of the series as Reed Chumley went deep to left field with a two-run shot in the fourth, followed by a Sean Smith RBI single and Ryan Vogel’s sacrifice fly to tie the game in the same frame.
However, the Spikes took control after that as Wilson provided a second run-scoring single in the fifth and another youngster, 18-year-old Aden Howard, delivered an RBI single of his own later that inning.
The Crosscutters had one last gasp in the seventh as Jack Oberdorf plated Vogel with a sacrifice fly, but after a wild pitch brought in Luke Napleton in the eighth to make it 7-5, the Spikes took a bases-empty, two-out situation in the ninth and grabbed a pair of insurance runs on Napleton’s single to left.
Napleton, who came to the Spikes after playing for Quincy University in Missouri this past spring, went 3-for-6 in his debut with the team.
Reliever Ben Harris (1-0) was credited with the win after handling the fourth on the mound, though it was righty Daniel Padysak that carried the day in the late innings. Padysak, who earned the save in the season opener on Thursday, entered in the sixth and allowed just one unearned run on one hit and one walk while striking out eight batters over three innings.
Williamsport reliever Titan Hayes (0-1) took the loss in his first appearance with the Crosscutters after allowing two runs on three hits and a walk in the fifth.
The Spikes will next clash with the 3-1 Trenton Thunder in three-game series featuring the teams with the two best records coming out of the Major League Baseball Draft League’s opening weekend. Monday’s 6:35 p.m. series lid lifter will feature right-hander Kelan Hoover (0-0), who tossed four no-hit innings on Thursday, on the mound for the Spikes. Trenton is scheduled to send left-hander Chase Jeter (0-0) to the hill.
Monday marks the return of Dollar Dog Night for the first of a trio of Spikes games featuring $1 hot dogs this year. It’s part of Buck Monday, which will also feature $1 Outfield Bleacher tickets and $1 popcorn.
More highlights of the series include Walking Taco Tuesday presented by Bigfoot Country Legends with half-price Walking Tacos all game long, and Grad Night, featuring half-price seats for any recent graduate in a cap and gown, on a Wine Wednesday presented by Seven Mountains Wine Cellars and WOWY Radio, with half-price wine from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for Monday’s game and all 38 games remaining 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. until the end of the game on Saturday.
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.
