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MLBDL State College Spikes

Preston Has Another Big Night, Spikes Fall to Scrappers, 7-6

August 1, 2024 - Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
State College Spikes News Release


UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Knox Preston delivered his second consecutive four-RBI game and helped the State College Spikes build an early lead, but the Mahoning Valley Scrappers slipped past the Spikes to take a 7-6 victory on Thursday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Preston's two-run triple in the third inning gave the Spikes (7-7 2nd Half) a 4-2 lead, which expanded to 5-2 when he scored on a passed ball. The Saint Louis University product also brought in a run with a bases-loaded walk in the first, then brought in a run with a two-out single to center field in the ninth to cut the deficit to one run.

The Spikes had to withstand a pair of monstrous home runs early, including a 461-foot first-inning solo shot off the bottom nameplate of the new videoboard in left field by Dreylin Holmes. Holmes's blast, his fourth of the season, is the longest ever measured by the Trackman system at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, besting major leaguer Brendan McKay's 443-foot homer in 2016, and is the longest in the MLB Draft League this season.

Drey Dirksen followed with a 407-foot solo home run in the second, his first of the season.

In the seventh, the Scrappers (8-6) scored four runs to take the lead, with Holmes's RBI double serving as the key hit before Drew Holderbach's go-ahead single.

Jacob Peaden, making his first start for the Spikes after five relief appearances, dazzled with 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball. Peaden allowed five hits, one walk and one hit batsman while striking out six batters and facing the minimum over his last 3 2/3 innings.

Reliever Daelan Caraway (1-1) took the loss after giving up the go-ahead run in the seventh.

Mahoning Valley reliever Jonathan Martinez (2-0) yielded only one walk over three scoreless innings for the win. Sungkyung Kim (1), who came to the Scrappers from the Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), allowed one run but recorded three outs in the ninth for the save.

Friday, the Spikes and Scrappers finish their abbreviated two-game set with a 6:35 p.m. matchup at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. State College will send right-hander Brandon Bergert (1-0) to the mound against Mahoning Valley right-hander Brayan Villar (0-1).

The Spikes' seven-game homestand to start August with Jared Box Night as the Spikes team up with fans to support The Jared Box Project. Bring an unopened toy to the game and drop it off at Gate C for a $3 discount on your ticket at the Spikes Ticket Office, or use promo code JAREDBOX at the Spikes Ticket Office or when purchasing online at StateCollegeSpikes.com/tickets to have $2 of your ticket donated to The Jared Box Project for Friday's game.

Highlights of Saturday and Sunday include FIREWORKS presented by College Township along with a Mystery Bobblehead Giveaway to the first 500 fans and Bobblehead Trading Post during Hospitality Night on Saturday, a Penn Highlands Healthcare Ballpark Takeover on a Sunday Funday presented by Big Froggy 101, and much, much more.

After the long weekend, there's more in store next week, including an Eric Milton No-Hitter 25th Anniversary Commemorative Poster Giveaway on Thursday, August 8 for the first 500 fans.

To purchase tickets to the upcoming homestand and every remaining home game on the Spikes' 2024 schedule at the new-look Medlar Field at Lubrano Park through September 3, 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 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 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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