July 24, 2022 – Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL) – State College Spikes News Release
NILES, Ohio – The State College Spikes shook off losing their lead in the ninth inning to defeat the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 8-7, on a game-ending wild pitch in the MLB Draft League Sudden Death Tiebreaker Sunday afternoon at Eastwood Field.
DeAndre Shelton, who was the Spikes’ (2-1 2nd half) designated runner in the extra frame, scored on the third wild pitch of the inning to give State College the win. Shelton had advanced to second on a wide delivery from Mahoning Valley (1-2 2nd half) reliever Jack Goonan, and after an intentional walk to John Mead, advanced to third on another wild pitch that also moved Mead to second.
Following another intentional walk to Brock Reller, Shelton scored on the second pitch to Colin Adams.
The win was the Spikes’ first of the MLB Draft League’s second half in the tiebreaker after a 2-4 first-half record in the new half-inning format.
The Spikes and Scrappers traded the lead back and forth, with each team holding the advantage twice before the end of the regulation nine innings. State College took its last lead in the sixth when Ryan Chesney scored on John Mead’s sacrifice fly to tie the game and Nick Gile brought in Shelton with a single to right one batter later.
Mahoning Valley forced the tiebreaker in the ninth. Jeffrey Wehler reached on an infield single with two outs and was lifted for pinch-runner Tyler Acosta. Acosta then advanced to second on a wild pitch before scoring on Ron Washington’s single to left field.
The Spikes responded to the Scrappers’ first-inning run on Washington’s RBI groundout by plating three runs in the second. Rafael Ramirez III’s single and Chesney’s groundout each brought in tallies, along with a wild pitch.
State College responded to a Mahoning Valley run via error in the second with the first of Reller’s two doubles to score Mead in the third, then responded to Dom Bucko’s RBI bunt single in the third and a pair of Scrappers runs in the fourth to tie the game with a Reller sacrifice fly in the fifth. Mahoning Valley then scored on another error in the fifth before the Spikes’ flurry in the sixth.
No winning or losing pitcher is recorded for games that reach the MLB Draft League Sudden Death Tiebreaker.
Monday, the Spikes start a stretch of six home games in seven days with a 6:35 p.m. matchup against the Williamsport Crosscutters at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Right-hander Jalan Daniels, a newcomer to the Spikes for the second half out of Tuskegee (Ala.), gets the ball for State College. Williamsport is slated to send right-hander Jarrett Whorff, a Louisiana Tech product, to the mound for his first start as a Crosscutter.
Santa Claus himself will be on hand for Christmas in July during the homestand opener on Monday, featuring a Jared Box Project Toy Drive – bring a toy to the game and receive $2 off your ticket (excluding $1 Outfield Bleacher seats), or mention Jared Box at the Ticket Office and $2 will go to the Jared Box Project.
Plus, it’s the first part of the Spikes’ Salute to the Hospitality Industry, as hospitality workers across Happy Valley will enjoy a special night at the ballpark thanks to the Spikes and the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, featuring tributes to the hospitality workers who have kept the industry going over the past 27 months.
In addition, it’s a Buck Monday at the ballpark, featuring $1 Outfield Bleacher seats, $1 hot dogs and $1 popcorn.
The home stretch continues with more fun, the chance to once again enjoy dazzling FIREWORKS spectaculars from a unique vantage point as FIREWORKS from the Field returns for each of the five remaining shows on the 2022 home schedule.
Starting with a FIREWORKS Weekend that features back-to-back shows on Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30, all fans are invited to come down onto the infield at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to see the skies light up with each of these special presentations from the Spikes and their official FIREWORKS provider, Starfire Corporation. Friday’s show after the 6:35 p.m. game against Mahoning Valley is presented by Penn State Health.
Fans will also get the chance to support great causes this coming weekend. Saturday, July 30, join us to raise funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer at the annual Paint the Park Pink Night presented by Mount Nittany Health. The Spikes wear special Pink and Black Jerseys which go up for bids in a Jersey-off-the-Back Auction benefiting the Mount Nittany Health Foundation, available soon on the LiveSource app. The night is capped off with another FIREWORKS from the Field display.
Then on Sunday, July 31, Still Strong Night will take place during the Spikes’ 4:05 p.m. game with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, and feature a special appearance from foundation co-founder, former NFL defensive lineman and proud Blue & White alum Devon Still. In addition to Still throwing out a first pitch and being part of the night’s activities, proceeds from the Spikes’ 50/50 drawing for the night will go to the Still Strong Foundation, and fans will have many ways to find out how to support the foundation and its cause.
Friday will be the first bobblehead giveaway of the season with the Wally Triplett “We Are” Talking Bobblehead presented by Boyles Insurance. The bobblehead, crafted in consultation with Triplett’s family, will go to the first 1,000 fans of all ages at Friday’s game. In addition to featuring the legendary back in a pose reminiscent of his performance in the 1948 Cotton Bowl, which gave rise to the use of “We Are” as a unifying cry across Nittany Nation, the bobblehead will feature a button that will play “We Are” whenever pressed.
More highlights include an appearance by social media superstar and top Happy Valley hooper Anna Camden during TikTok Night on Thursday, Philipsburg-Osceola Community Night on Friday, Scout Night and Penns Valley Community Night on Saturday, and a pair of FREE Geisinger Kids Zone! nights presented by Friends of Jake Corman this weekend.
Tickets for every game in the second half of 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 of the Spikes’ game on Monday via the Spikes Radio Network presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics with Steve Jones and Joe Putnamon 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.
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