MLBDL State College Spikes

Aviles Goes Deep as Spikes Fall to Keys on Sunday, 9-4

Published on July 16, 2023 under Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
State College Spikes News Release


UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - Luis Aviles smashed his second home run of the year for the State College Spikes on Sunday afternoon, but Alec Sanchez's pair of homers helped the Frederick Keys take a 9-4 decision at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Aviles, a returnee from the 2022 Spikes (4-4 2ndHalf), took a 2-0 pitch from Frederick (3-4 2ndHalf) starter Hunter Viets (1-0 2ndHalf) 370 feet over the right field wall for a solo shot in the sixth inning to cut the State College deficit to 4-2. Aviles also produced a double and scored two runs in the game.

Frederick took the powered by Sanchez, who scored the Keys' first run in the opening frame. before launching a two-run homer 425 feet to right field in the second. The center fielder then went deep for a second time with a leadoff homer to right field in the fifth inning, running his home run count to four for the Major League Baseball Draft League season's second half.

The Keys then plated five runs in the seventh, two each on doubles from Trenton Jamison and Zaid Walker and another on a double-play ball.

One day after matching the club record for the largest comeback by overcoming a 9-2 deficit, the Spikes made a surge in the ninth as they loaded the bases before Carlos Contreras and Ray Torres walked to bring in runs. However, Caiden Wood (1) retired Braedon Blackford with a groundout to end the game.

Spikes starter Derrick Cherry (1-1 2ndHalf) took the loss after allowing four runs on nine hits and a hit batsman over six innings. Cherry recorded four strikeouts in the effort.

Viets picked up the win in his Keys debut after yielding one run on four hits and a hit batsman while striking out four batters over five innings.

After an off day on the schedule Monday, the Spikes will embark on a six-game road trip, with three contests against the Trenton Thunder starting on Tuesday before a weekend three-game set against the West Virginia Black Bears.

The series opener at Trenton Thunder Ballpark will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, with right-hander Louis Davenport III (0-1 2ndHalf) getting the ball for State College against an as yet unnamed Trenton starter.

Following the road trip, the Spikes will be home on Tuesday, July 25 to face the Williamsport Crosscutters for a 6:35 p.m. Christmas in July matchup featuring Jared Box Night, where fans can bring an unwrapped gift for The Jared Box Project for $2 off their ticket, or mention Jared Box when purchasing their ticket at the Spikes Ticket Office or by phone to have $2 of their ticket purchase donated by the Spikes to The Jared Box Project.

Then on Wednesday, July 26, it's a 12:05 p.m. start for the Spikes and Crosscutters on Super Splash Day, where the ballpark goes wet and wild as the Geisinger Kids Zone turns into the Splash Zone, and fans get enjoy lunchtime at the ballpark with half-price wine for fans during the Wine Wednesday happy hour presented by Seven Mountains Wine Cellars.

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics

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Major League Baseball Draft League Stories from July 16, 2023


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