STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – DeAndre Shelton collected three of the State College Spikes’ 12 hits, Marques Paige knocked in two runs and notched two hits despite the end of his home run streak, and State College pitching did not allow an earned run for the second consecutive game as the Spikes downed the Williamsport Crosscutters, 8-3, on Saturday night at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field.
Shelton, who finished his collegiate career at Texas-Rio Grande Valley, reaching on an infield single and scored in the first, then doubled in the sixth before being thrown out trying to stretch out the hit and then singled in a run in the eighth. The Spikes’ (12-9 2nd half) shortstop for the first five innings, Shelton also recorded six assists during the game before shifting to second base.
Paige, who had homered in the Spikes’ previous three games to match Mark Hamilton for the longest such streak in franchise history, tripled to center field in the third and added a two-out, two-run single in the fifth to bump the State College lead to 4-0. Paige also scored a pair of runs and recorded his fourth consecutive multi-hit game, going 10-for-17 (.588) at the plate with 10 RBI’s over that span.
Trent Taylor extended his hitting streak to an MLB Draft League-long 13 games with a double in the fourth inning.
Beau Nichols (2-1) delivered another strong outing for the win, yielding just two unearned runs on three hits and two walks over five innings. Nichols struck out three batters in the process and lowered his earned run average for the season to 1.19.
Mike Oh then threw two scoreless innings of relief before Chris Macca allowed one unearned run on a hit, a walk and a hit batsman over 1 1/3 innings. Tristen Hudson entered the game in the middle of the ninth innings and got the last two outs, including one strikeout.
Spikes pitching has now gone 21 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run, stretching back to the sixth inning of Thursday’s home matchup against West Virginia.
The Crosscutters (12-7 2nd half) remained in first place in the MLB Draft League’s second-half standings by percentage points over West Virginia and by one game over State College despite the loss. Starter Brandon Kaminer (1-2) took the loss after being charged with six runs on nine hits, a walk and two hit batsmen over five innings. Kaminer also struck out four batters.
Sunday, the Spikes and Crosscutters meet for the finale of their three-game series at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field as State College seeks the sweep. Right-hander Brendan Knoll (1-2) gets the ball for the Spikes in the 4:05 p.m. matinee, while Williamsport is scheduled to send right-hander Matt Gilbertson (2-0) to the mound.
Following the set in Williamsport and a three-game series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers at Eastwood Field from Tuesday through Thursday, the Spikes return home for a three-game series against the Crosscutters at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park from Friday, August 19 through Sunday, August 21.
The series will feature another chance for fans to see FIREWORKS from the Field, as College Township presents the spectacular post-game show on Saturday, August 20. It’s also Space Night on the same date, with a Post-Game Rocket Launch.
More highlights include Heroes Night and Make-A-Wish Night on a 4 for $44 Friday presented by 95.3 3WZ on the 19th, another Super Saturday presented by the PA Lottery and B94.5 along with Baseball Bingo on the 20th, and Witches & Wizards Night on a Sunday Funday presented by Bigfoot Country Legends as part of a 4:05 p.m. game on the 21st. Plus, after all three games will be Kids Run the Bases Home Run Edition presented by Mount Nittany Health.
Tickets for the upcoming homestand, as well as all 11 remaining games on the Spikes’ biggest regular season home schedule in franchise history, including all three remaining FIREWORKS from the Field shows, 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, at the only source for authentic Spikes tickets online 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 the action of the Spikes’ game on Sunday 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 Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field at 3:50 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.
