MLBDL State College Spikes

Vierling Homers, Palmegiani Stars, But Spikes Fall to Crosscutters, 7-5

Published on June 25, 2021 under Major League Baseball Draft League (MLBDL)
State College Spikes News Release


WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Mark Vierling continued the family tradition at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, and Damiano Palmegiani reached base five times, but the Williamsport Crosscutters surged late to take a 7-5 win over the State College Spikes on Friday night.

Vierling, whose brother Matt Vierling started his professional career with the Crosscutters (13-12) in 2018 before moving up the ladder to make his major league debut with the Phillies this past Saturday, lifted a 2-0 pitch from Williamsport starter Nick Cosentino over the left-field wall in the second inning for his second homer of the year.

The dinger extended the State College (11-15) at that point to 3-0. Palmegiani, who is committed to continue his collegiate career at Arizona, had brought in the Spikes' first run with a double in his first at-bat. In the designated hitter role, Palmegiani would contribute two singles, draw a walk and get hit by a pitch over the remainder of the game.

The Crosscutters struck back with a run in the third on Chaz Salter's sacrifice fly before tying the game at 3-3 with Freddie Matos's bases-loaded walk and Michael Trautwein's RBI groundout in the sixth.

Following Nathan Church's bases-loaded walk and James Jett's sacrifice fly to put the Spikes out in front 5-3 in the seventh, Williamsport's Lance Logdsdon stepped up with the bases loaded in the bottom half of the inning and cleared all of the runners with a double to put the Crosscutters ahead.

Dakota Katowski followed Logsdon with a single to finalize the scoring.

Spikes starter Richie Holetz contributed his second consecutive solid outing, going five innings and giving up just one run on two hits and two walks. Holetz, who led Omaha in strikeouts this past college season with 68 over 79 2/3 innings, struck out three batters on Friday.

Reliever Beau Balado (0-1) took the loss after allowing four runs on two hits and three walks over 1/3 of an inning. Balado recorded the out via strikeout.

Williamsport's Hunter Caudelle (1-0) picked up the win in relief by retiring every batter he faced over two innings, striking out one batter in the process.

Saturday, the Spikes will head back up to Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field for the second game of their three-game series against the Crosscutters. Left-hander Chase Watkins (0-0) out of Oregon State will get the ball for State College to face Williamsport right-hander Tyler Uberstine (0-0).

Following the series in Williamsport and an off day on Monday, the Spikes are set to welcome back the Scrappers for a three-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park starting on Tuesday. The series features 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 25, 2021


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