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MLBDL State College Spikes

Spikes Have a Blast as Commemorative Two Millionth Fan Is Named Saturday

July 3, 2022 - Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
State College Spikes News Release


UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The State College Spikes had a jam-packed Independence Eve game at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Saturday as Sara Spicer earned the distinction of being named the Spikes' commemorative Two Millionth Fan and David "The Bullet" Smith Jr. thrilled fans in his return as the Human Cannonball after the game against the West Virginia Black Bears.

A total of seven finalists for the honor of being the commemorative Two Millonth Fan were determined by entries over a six-game span from June 23 to July 3, plus a finalist from the Spikes' season ticket holders. When the final drawing was held on the field, it was Sara, who entered and was chosen as a finalist on Saturday night, whose name was drawn by William Kenyon, the Spikes' official One Millionth Fan.

Sara won the Two Millionth Fan Ultimate Lifetime Prize Pack, which includes Spikes season tickets for life for the seat of their choice in the ballpark, a Shopping Spree at the Spikes' official team store, Off the Rack Outfitters, a guaranteed 20-person Luxury Suite night in the Geisinger Champions Club at one Spikes home game per season for life, a guarantee to receive all remaining 2022 Spikes giveaways, and many more sensational prizes befitting the Two Millionth Fan.

After the thrill of the Two Millionth Fan Celebration finale, the 4,387 fans in attendance were delighted to see Smith return to Happy Valley to fly through the skies as the Human Cannonball. "The Bullet" launched himself from second base at a 56-degree angle onto a net at home plate, with members of both the Spikes and Black Bears remaining on the field to witness the spectacle before the Independence Eve FIREWORKS show presented by the PA Lottery.

In game action, West Virginia (13-13) controlled the game from the beginning to top State College (10-16), 11-1. After Blaze Brothers was hit by a pitch and came around to score the game's opening run in the top of the first, Lyndon Weaver got the crowd going with a leadoff triple for the Spikes in the bottom half and scored on Keshawn Ogans's ground-rule double.

However, it was all Black Bears from that point. Marek Chlup collected three hits, including a triple, and West Virginia stole six bases as a team. Tyler Williams collected two hits to lead the Spikes offense.

State College starter Will Stevens (0-1) took the loss after yielding five runs, four of them earned, on two hits, two walks and three hit batsmen over 1 2/3 innings. Stevens recorded four strikeouts in the effort.

Jon Alba (1-0) logged five innings of one-run ball in the start for West Virginia to earn the win. Alba gave up a total of three hits and a walk while striking out six batters.

The Spikes will now hit the road to Ohio for a three-game series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers starting on Monday with a 7:05 p.m. Independence Day matchup. State College will send left-hander Mason Olson (0-0), a BYU commit with a 0.53 ERA over five previous starts for the Spikes, to the mound. Mahoning Valley will go with right-hander Duncan Davitt (1-1).

Though the Spikes will be on the road, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park will still be abuzz on the Fourth of July as the Central PA 4th Fest returns to the ballpark.

The 4th Fest program includes another flight of the Human Cannonball with a change in coordinates at the ballpark, plus plenty of live music and a signature 4th Fest FIREWORKS show that will light up the skies.

The 4th Fest live music bill features an array of rockers ready to step into the box and celebrate Independence Day the Happy Valley way. The legendary Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes come in from the coast of New Jersey to join Jackie Brown and the Gill Street Band and local favorites Velveeta on the on-field stage.

Additional 4th Fest activities include an array of fun for youngsters at the Geisinger Kids Zone in left field and a full lineup of food and beverage options across the ballpark throughout the night.

The roster of on-field activities will also include Kids Run the Bases presented by Mount Nittany Health and much more.

Fans can purchase their tickets now to enjoy all the pomp and pageantry of 4th Fest at Medlar Field, plus the exclusive viewing location for the fully choreographed FIREWORKS display presented by Starfire Corporation.

Individual tickets for the Central PA 4th Fest celebration at the ballpark start at just $15, with four-packs starting at just $40. For more information, or to purchase any of the available 4th Fest ticket packages, call the Spikes Ticket Office at 814-272-1711, buy and download at CentralPA4thFest.org, or visit the Ticket Office in-person starting at noon.

The Spikes return home on Saturday, July 9 for the first NFT Classic. In a partnership that forges a new connection between baseball and the non-fungible token (NFT) space, the State College Spikes and Williamsport Crosscutters will each rebrand the game.

The Spikes will become the State College DiamondDawgs, adopting 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 become the Williamsport Bored Apes, 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.

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 Monday 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 Eastwood Field at 6:50 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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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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