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MLBDL State College Spikes

Benjamin's Slam Paces Spikes' 14-7 Win Over Black Bears

June 30, 2024 - Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
State College Spikes News Release


UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Samuel Benjamin smashed a grand slam, the 18th in State College Spikes history, for his MLB Draft League-leading fifth homer of the season to help key the Spikes' 14-7 victory over the West Virginia Black Bears on Saturday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Benjamin's bomb, a 390-foot shot to right field off West Virginia (9-12) starter Dylan Cheeley, also increased his RBI total to an MLB Draft League-leading 23 in his 22nd game of the year. The grand slam was the Spikes' (12-11) first since Brennen Dorighi in the second half of last year, and allowed Benjamin to join big leaguers Alex Dickerson, David Washington, Andy Young and Lars Nootbaar on the franchise's list of grand slam hitters.

The blast was also the centerpiece of an eight-run second for State College. The Spikes followed with six runs in the third, starting with Manny Jackson's solo homer to right-center field, a 396-foot shot for his second of the year, and finishing with Jackson's two-run single to left field.

Blake Wilson and A.J. Salgado also drove in three runs apiece for the Spikes.

Jaxon Dalena allowed two runs, with just one earned, over three innings to start the game on the mound for State College. Jalen Warwick (2-0) followed with 2 2/3 innings of relief for the victory.

Jeff Liquori and Jack O'Dowd each homered for the Black Bears. Cheeley took the loss on the mound for West Virginia.

Sunday, the Spikes finish their weekend series with the Black Bears in a 6:35 p.m. matchup at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Right-hander Ben Harris (2-1) gets the ball for State College, while West Virginia will send right-hander Christian Womble (0-2) to the hill.

The series finishes with a Sunday Funday at the ballpark presented by Big Froggy 101, featuring a Sunday Pre-Game Catch on the Field from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Plus, Kids Eat Free with the first 250 kids receiving a voucher good for a free hot dog, chips and soda, the first 100 kids will also get a Spikes Youth Baseball Glove presented by Curavetti. and Half-Price Iron City, IC Light, IC Light Mango and Hard Seltzers are available for fans of age from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

In addition, Baseball Bingo joins the Sunday night festivities with up to ten winners earning a Spikes prize and entry to the Ultimate Baseball Bingo Grand Prize Drawing at the final Sunday home game of the regular season on August 18, where one lucky winner will get a 2025 Season Ticket. Fans can get their Bingo cards on the way into the ballpark, and the actions of the Spikes on the field determine the numbers you can mark off - make sure to pick up a Spikes Illustrated Extra for the key.

The evening is capped off by Kids Run the Bases presented by Mount Nittany Health.

Fans can also look forward to the traditional Independence Eve FIREWORKS presented by the PA Lottery on Wednesday, July 3, along with Military Appreciation Night presented by Lion Country Kia featuring a Spikes Patriotic Hat Giveaway for the first 500 fans.

Plus, the Spikes are celebrating our nation's birthday in the cutest way possible with the Great American Baby Races at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park! During the July 3 Independence Eve home game against the Williamsport Crosscutters and the Central PA 4th Fest at the ballpark on July 4, babies and toddlers from across Happy Valley will be revving up to crawl on the field.

Parents can enter their babies for the Great American Baby Races using the form available at StateCollegeSpikes.com. Both the champion of the July 3 races and the champion of the July 4 races will receive Ultimate Great American Baby Races Prize Packs, with a Greatest of the Great American Baby Races Prize Pack available for the grand champion.

Plus, the Great American Baby Races Ticket Package is available with a great deal for parents on July 3 and July 4. For $70, this package includes the following:

- Two (2) Diamond Club seats to the July 3 home game

- Two (2) Spikes VIP tickets to the Central PA 4th Fest

- VIP Parking for both events in the Porter North lot

Tickets for babies are not part of the package since children aged 2 and under do not need a ticket to enter Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

For tickets to all of the home games during the 10-game stretch through July 13, as well as every remaining home game on the Spikes' 2024 schedule at the new-look Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, fans can call 814-272-1711 or by visiting the Spikes Ticket Office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with hours during home game days of 9 a.m. to the end of the game Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to the end of the game on Saturday and Sunday.

Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets 24/7, and view the 2024 promotional schedule, by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action of the Spikes' game 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 6:05 p.m.

The game can be viewed worldwide on the MLB Draft League streaming platform powered by Pixellot at MLB.watch.pixellot.tv and the Watch section of the MLB app by scrolling the Watch Now tab, along with the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com and the TuneIn Radio app.

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