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MLBDL State College Spikes

Spikes Fall to Crosscutters in Tiebreaker After 3-3 Regulation Score

July 8, 2022 - Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
State College Spikes News Release


WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Alex Toral smashed his third homer of the season to give the State College Spikes the lead, and the Spikes swiped seven bases as a team, but the Williamsport Crosscutters came back to force a 3-3 tie in regulation and set the Spikes down in order in the Major League Baseball Draft League Sudden Death Tiebreaker to pick up the win.

Toral, who launched a towering 462-foot home run on Tuesday against Mahoning Valley, went deep for a three-run shot to right field that traveled 385 feet in the third off Williamsport (18-12) starter Wesley Scott to put the Spikes (12-18) up 3-1.

State College also used the running game to great effect, finishing just one steal shy of the single-game franchise record set in 2021 and matched on June 11 of this season against Williamsport. Jordan Williams stole three bases, while Keshawn Ogans took two and Kevin Karstetter and Luke Seidel swiped one apiece.

However, Williamsport knotted the game at 3-3 in the fifth when Michael Gupton and Matthew Etzel collected back-to-back doubles, followed by Daniel Harris IV's RBI groundout.

Spikes reliever Tyler Hoffman shut the Crosscutters down in the eighth and ninth innings, allowing one walk but facing the minimum and recording a strikeout to force the Sudden Death Tiebreaker.

Under MLB Draft League Sudden Death Tiebreaker rules, the home team decides whether to be on offense or defense prior to the game, with either a run scored by the offense or three outs made by the defense determining the winner.

In the extra frame, Williamsport's Jacob Peaden came on in relief and forced a flyout, strikeout and popout in that order to finish the game and give the Crosscutters their third straight win over the Spikes in the Sudden Death Tiebreaker. Peaden threw seven pitches, all of them strikes.

No winning or losing pitcher is recorded for games that reach the MLB Draft League Sudden Death Tiebreaker.

Saturday, the Spikes come home to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to continue their series with the Crosscutters, though both teams will change identities for a night as part of the historic first-ever NFT Classicas the Spikes turn into the State College DiamondDawgs, and the Crosscutters become the Williamsport Bored Apes.

State College will send right-hander Connor Brandon (1-0) to the hill for his first start of the season, while Williamsport will go with right-hander Mauricio Rodriguez (1-0).

The Spikes will adopt the identity of the DiamondDawgs NFT's created by former Spikes player and current St. Louis Cardinals minor league player Evan Mendoza, while the Crosscutters will represent representing the Bored Ape Yacht Club, one of the most prestigious NFT collections.

Each jersey worn by the players and coaches of the DiamondDawgs and Bored Apes will highlight a different NFT in their respective collections. In addition, the proceeds from T-shirts showcasing each NFT collection, as well as the Spikes' 50/50 drawing for the night, will go towards the Little League of Sarasota, Fla., which is Mendoza's hometown.

Plus, it's Autism Acceptance Night at the ballpark, with post-game FIREWORKS presented by the Central PA Autism Community as well as a Fidget Spinner Giveaway for the first 200 hands. It's also Clearfield County Night with a FREE Geisinger Kids Zone! throughout the night.

In addition, Kids Run the Bases Home Run Edition returns after the game, presented by Mount Nittany Health.

Tickets for the historic NFT Classic, as well as every game on 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 on Saturday via the Spikes Radio Network presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics with Joe Putnam on the call. The broadcast starts withSpikes 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 at MLBDraftLeague.com/streaming, along with the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com and the TuneIn Radio app.

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Major League Baseball Draft League Stories from July 8, 2022


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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