MLBDL State College Spikes

Church Delivers on Sunday to Give Spikes 3-2 Win over Crosscutters

Published on June 27, 2021 under Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
State College Spikes News Release


WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Nathan Church drilled his Major League Baseball Draft League-tying third home run of the year, then shined on defense to help the Spikes preserve a 3-2 win over the Williamsport Crosscutters on Sunday evening at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field.

Church, an outfielder out of UC-Irvine, sent a 2-1 pitch from Williamsport (14-13) starter Troy Taylor (2-1) 425 feet to center field in the third. The solo shot made it a 3-1 game and knotted Church with five other players, including Spikes (12-16) teammate Marques Paige, for the MLB Draft League lead in dingers.

With the margin trimmed to 3-2 in the ninth, Church then made a sensational sliding catch in right to snare Isaac Nunez's sinking liner for the frame's first out and prevent the tying run from getting into scoring position. Kiernan Higgins (2) took care of things the rest of the way to earn the save and salt away the Spikes' victory.

Williamsport opened the scoring on Dakota Kotowski's RBI double in the first inning, but the Spikes used a three-run third to gain a lead they would not lose. Zion Pettigrew, who was slotted in the leadoff spot for the first time this year, smashed a double to score Tyler Heckert with the tying run before scoring himself on Mark Vierling's groundout.

Church's long ball then completed the rally, and despite Michael Turconi stealing home in the seventh, the Spikes' relief corps made the lead hold up.

State College starter Jason Bollman allowed one run on two hits and two walks over four innings, striking out three batters. Bollman then gave way to Connor Oliver (1-1), who picked up the win after delivering three hitless innings. The southpaw allowed one unearned run on three walks and notched two strikeouts.

Blake Seigler then pitched a scoreless eighth before Higgins's one-hit, one-strikeout performance in the ninth.

Taylor took the loss for Williamsport after yielding all three Spikes runs on four hits and a walk over five innings. The right-hander struck out five batters in the effort.

Following an off day on Monday, the Spikes will welcome the Mahoning Valley Scrappers back to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for the second straight week. Tuesday's 6:35 p.m. opener is slated to feature right-hander Louis Davenport III (1-1) on the mound for State College against an unnamed Scrappers starter.

The trio of games will feature a a Spikes Team Poster Giveaway for the first 250 fans on a $2 Tuesday, presented by WOWY, Kids Take Over the Ballpark on a FREE Kids Night Wednesday, and Autocorrect Night*, with fun T-shirts for sale and a Rubber Ducky Giveaway for the first 250 fans, presented by Primanti Bros.

Tickets for all three games, plus the Spikes' July 4 game presented by the PA Lottery with Central PA 4th Fest FIREWORKS after the game, are currently on sale through the Spikes Ticket Office. Tickets can be purchased by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting the Ticket Office in person from 9 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to the end of the game on gamedays Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non-gamedays Monday through Friday.

Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action Tuesday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics, starting with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. 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.

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics

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Major League Baseball Draft League Stories from June 27, 2021


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