FREDERICK, Md. – Conor Higgs put the State College Spikes in front by dropping a two-run single into left field in the seventh, then put away the Frederick Keys with a monstrous two-run homer in the ninth to give the Spikes a 6-1 victory on Thursday afternoon at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium.

Higgs, who joined the Spikes (7-7 2nd Half) last Wednesday, stepped up to the plate in the seventh with the bases loaded and two outs in a 1-1 game, delivering a pop-up that fell in between sliding left fielder Jamal Ritter and shortstop Parks Bouck to give State College a 3-1 lead.

The Louisiana product then launched a 436-foot shot to right field, the longest home run in the MLB Draft League this season, to cap the scoring for the day in the ninth. Higgs’s two-run bomb also left the ballpark at 107.5 miles per hour, making it the second hardest-hit ball of the season for any Spikes player.

The game started out as a pitchers’ duel early. Spikes starter Michael Quevedo tossed five scoreless innings, allowing five hits while striking out four batters along the way, while Keys (6-9 2nd Half) starter Jake Hunter gave up one run on three hits while striking out a season-high-tying seven batters over five innings.

Cole Caruso gave the Spikes the lead in the first with an RBI groundout before a State College error opened the door to Bronson Rivera’s two-out RBI single in the sixth.

Dan Tauken added a sacrifice fly in the ninth before Higgs’ big fly.

Reliever Dylan Cheeley (1-0) picked up the win after allowing one unearned run on three hits while striking out one batter over one inning of relief. Harold Baez (0-2) took the loss in relief after being charged with two runs on four hits and a walk while recording one strikeout in two innings.

The Spikes now head west for the second half of their road trip as they take on the West Virginia Black Bears on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Kendrick Family Ballpark in the opener of a three-game set. Left-hander Carston Herman (0-0) is slated to make his second start on the mound for State College.

Following their set in West Virginia, the Spikes will return home on Monday, August 4 to start a seven-game homestand through Sunday, August 10.