MLBDL State College Spikes

Spikes Use Big First Inning to Pound Scrappers, 10-2

Published on July 1, 2021 under Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
State College Spikes News Release


UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A six-run first inning gave State College Spikes Joe Miceli plenty of cushion to earn his first win with the club, and Curtis Washington Jr. and Marques Paige added to the damage as the Spikes drummed the Scrappers, 10-2, on Thursday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Miceli (1-3) yielded two runs on six hits and two runs while striking out one batter to pick up the win in his longest start with the Spikes (14-17).

The right-hander's work was made easier by State College's surge in the first. Tyler Heckert doubled in Washington for the game's first run, while the rest of the Spikes' tallies coming with two outs. Nathan Church's RBI single was followed by a two-run single from Lukas Cook and James Jett's two-run double.

Paige then extended the Spikes' lead in the third as he sent the first pitch he saw from Mahoning Valley (18-12) starter Collin Floyd (0-2) 426 feet over the center field batter's eye for a solo homer. The long ball was Paige's fourth of the season, tying him with Frederick's Zack Dezenzo and Trenton's Jordan Hollins for the Major League Baseball Draft League lead.

Washington delivered another standout performance, going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and scoring a run. The Wabash Valley product also knocked in the last three State College runs in the fifth with a bases-loaded double.

Sam Crail collected four of Mahoning Valley's nine hits to lead the Scrappers offense, and drove in their first run with a second-inning single. Buck Anderson's RBI double in the fifth to score Crail accounted for the other Mahoning Valley marker.

Floyd took the loss after giving up seven runs on eight hits and three walks over four innings. The right-hander recorded one strikeout in the effort.

The Spikes will now hit the road for a two-game mini-series at Monongalia County Ballpark against the West Virginia Black Bears. Friday's 7:05 p.m. series opener will feature right-hander Richie Holetz (1-0) on the mound for the Spikes against an as yet unnamed West Virginia starter.

Following the jaunt to West Virginia, the Spikes return home Sunday for what will potentially be the biggest home game in club history. The 5:05 p.m. game against the Trenton Thunder will feature the Central PA 4th Fest FIREWORKS after the game, and tickets are going fast. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets right away so as not to miss out on any of the fun.

Fans are now able to purchase tables in the Pepsi Picnic Pavilion for the Fourth of July game. Tables are $95 each, and each table comes with ten (10) tickets for Sunday's game, as well as easy access to snacks and beverages throughout the evening.

In addition, fans making last-minute plans to join the fun can take advantage of the Spikes' expanded hours at the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Ticket Office. The Ticket Office will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday before opening at 9 a.m. on Sunday.

The PA Lottery presents all of Sunday's fun as part of the 4th of July Celebration at the ballpark, with an Apple Pie Giveaway for the first 250 fans when gates open to the public at 4:00 p.m. and a Kids Run the Bases Home Run Edition after the game.

The Spikes are also home on July 5 with a 4:05 p.m. matchup against Trenton as part of Old School Baseball Day, featuring a throwback game presentation and Trade-Any-Ticket Day. Fans can trade in any ticket they have at the Spikes Ticket Office, whether from another Spikes game, a football game, a carnival or even a parking ticket, and get a FREE ticket for Monday's game.

Tickets for both Fourth of July weekend games can be purchased by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting the Ticket Office in person. Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action Sunday 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.

Time of Game: 3:08

Attendance: 2,265

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics

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Major League Baseball Draft League Stories from July 1, 2021


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