UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – State College Spikes pitching recorded 11 strikeouts on Friday night against the West Virginia Black Bears, but Blaze Brothers’s go-ahead RBI double in the fifth inning held up as the Black Bears took a 2-1 decision at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
The Spikes (10-14) had tied the game in the third when Keshawn Ogans singled on a grounder to the left side, moved to second on Kevin Karstetter’s base hit up the middle, and scored on Alex Toral’s sky-high single to right-center field.
Sam Crail then delivered a one-out single to right for the Black Bears (11-13) and advanced to second on an error before scoring on Brothers’s two-base hit to left.
Brendan Knoll started the Spikes off strong on the mound, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over a season-long four innings. Knoll recorded four strikeouts in the effort.
Josh Mollerus (0-1) then tossed two innings and was charged with the loss after yielding an unearned run on a total of three hits and two walks. Mollerus notched two strikeouts on the night, with Trae Robertson adding three whiffs over two frames and Daniel Harper collected two strikeouts in a one-hit ninth.
West Virginia took the opening lead of the game when Crail stole home, one of his two stolen bases during the night, on the front end of a double steal in the third.
Black Bears reliever Austin Becker (3-0) picked up the win with a scoreless inning of work in the fourth. Becker gave up one hit and struck out one batter.
The Spikes and their fans celebrated Strangest Things Night during the evening, turning things upside down with a third-inning stretch, an evil counterpart to beloved mascot Ike the Spike called Mike the Spike, a full complement of 1980’s music, and much more fun throughout the game.
Saturday, the Spikes and Black Bears meet in the middle game of their three-game Independence Day weekend series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Right-hander Brock Blatter (0-0) heads to the hill for State College in the 6:35 p.m. matchup, while West Virginia will give the ball to right-hander Zach Bravo (0-0).
The Spikes’ Two Millionth Fan Celebration will continue at Saturday’s game, with more chances for a once in a lifetime opportunity. Fans have been entering to become the Spikes’ commemorative Two Millionth Fan at the Lion Country Kia table on the concourse, with one finalist for the honors drawn at each of the six home games from June 23 to July 3. One additional finalist will be drawn from the Spikes’ array of season ticket holders, and all finalists will be invited onto the field after the Spikes’ home game on Sunday, July 3, where one fan will be named the Spikes’ commemorative Two Millionth Fan.
The Spikes’ commemorative Two Millionth Fan will receive the Two Millionth Fan Ultimate Lifetime Prize Pack, which includes Spikes season tickets for life for the seat of their choice in the ballpark, a Shopping Spree at the Spikes’ official team store, Off the Rack Outfitters, a guaranteed 20-person Luxury Suite night in the Geisinger Champions Club at one Spikes home game per season for life, a guarantee to receive all remaining 2022 Spikes giveaways, and many more sensational prizes befitting the Two Millionth Fan.
Fans will also be able to bring their favorite four-legged friend with Bark in the Park II presented by the Centre Daily Times on Saturday as doggie doors and gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the general public. Bark in the Park rules and regulations are available at https://bit.ly/SCBarkInThePark, and the first 150 dogs get a special giveaway from Happy Valley Insurance.
Plus, it’s a Super Saturday presented by the PA Lottery and B94.5. Fans will have numerous chances to win big throughout the night, including through another edition of Baseball Bingo. After the game, it’s another Kids Run the Bases Home Run Edition presented byMount Nittany Health.
Tickets for every game in the Two Millionth Fan Celebration this Independence Day Weekend, 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, 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 of the action on Saturday 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 at approximately 6:10 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.
