UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Trent Taylor smashed two doubles, reached base four times, scored a run, and stole two bases, but it wasn’t enough for the State College Spikes as their playoff hopes were dashed with a 7-1 defeat against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Thursday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
With the Spikes’ (20-17) loss and their own win on Thursday, the Williamsport Crosscutters clinched the second-half berth in the MLB Draft League Championship Game and will face the West Virginia Black Bears for the crown on Tuesday night at Monongalia County Ballpark.
Taylor followed a 2-for-3, two-walk, one-steal performance at the top of the order on Wednesday with a stellar effort on Thursday night that upped his doubles total to 12, just two back of teammate Dawson Bailey for the MLB Draft League’s second-half lead. The UCF product also scored State College’s lone run after his second double the game in the fifth, crossing the plate on an error.
The Spikes also welcomed fans into the ballpark for two games, with frequent live look-ins at Penn State football’s home opener at Purdue during the nine innings of action against the Scrappers (15-22). All fans were also welcomed to stay at the ballpark to watch the game once the Spikes game finished.
Josh Madole notched the other hit for State College with a single to right-center field in the fourth.
Mahoning Valley broke open a 1-1 tie in the sixth with a trio of runs on Adam Fogel’s single to left and bases-loaded walks drawn by Abimael Gonzalez Acosta and Will Prater.
Spikes starter J.D. Daniels (3-3) took the loss after being charged with three runs, two of them earned, on five hits and three walks over five-plus innings. Daniels recorded three strikeouts in the effort.
Mahoning Valley starter Jan Figueroa (1-2) picked up the win after yielding one unearned run on three hits and five walks while striking out five batters over five innings.
Fogel went 4-for-5 with a double and two RBI’s for the Scrappers.
The Spikes will now start their final series of the 2022 season on Friday when they welcome the Trenton Thunder to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for a 6:35 p.m. matchup to start a three-game set. Right-hander Jared Kengott (3-1) will make his last start of the season for the Spikes against an as yet unnamed starter for the Thunder.
Fans can bring their favorite four-legged friend to the ballpark one more time with the fourth and final Bark in the Park of the season, presented by the Centre Daily Times. Doggie doors and gates open at 5:30 p.m., and fans can enjoy a Doggie Giveaway presented by Happy Valley Insurance.
Plus, after the game, pups can join their best friends for Dogs and Kids Run the Bases Home Run Edition presented by Mount Nittany Health.
It’s also the final 4 for $44 Friday of the season, presented by 95.3 3WZ, with four Diamond Club or Field Box seats, four hot dogs and four sodas available for just $44 by phone at 814-272-1711 or in person at the Spikes Ticket Office.
In addition, fans of age can enjoy a Bud Light/Yuengling Happy Hour, with both products half-price from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Spikes’ last blast of the summer continues throughout Labor Day weekend, with a Michael Mauti Bobblehead Giveaway on Saturday for the first 1,000 fans, presented by Penn State Health, that includes a special appearance as Mauti, the heart and soul of the 2012 “Iron Lions,” will meet and greet fans and sign autographs, plus much more.
In addition, fans will be thrilled by the chance to see another spectacular display light up the Happy Valley skies from the ballpark infield as part of FIREWORKS from the Field, with **Starfire Corporation **presenting the show on Sunday, September 4 at the **Fan Appreciation Night **regular season finale presented by Lion Country Kia, featuring one LuCKy fan driving home a winner with LuCKy’s Kia Giveaway.
Tickets for each of the three games remaining in the Spikes’ 2022 season 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 an array of group and hospitality options for the 2022 season and for football Saturdays in the fall, 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 Friday 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 starting 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.
