NILES, Ohio – State College Spikes returnee Camden Ross smashed a two-run single in the eighth inning to keep the game within reach, but the Mahoning Valley Scrappers took a 6-3 victory on Tuesday night at 7/17 Credit Union Field at Eastwood to in the 2026 MLB Draft League opener for both teams.

Ross, a catcher from Western Kentucky, who reached base at a .433 clip for the Spikes (0-1) over 22 games in 2025, marked his return by driving in Alex Mendoza Jr. and Tyree Reed to cut the deficit to two runs. CJ Richmond and Luke Nomura also stole bases to aid the State College offense.

Mahoning Valley (1-0) shortstop Josiah Seguin provided the key hit of the game with a three-run double off the left-field wall in the seventh to break open a 1-1 tie. Seguin reached base a total of four times with two walks and a time hit by pitch in addition to his extra-base hit.

Scrappers reliever Tommy Szczepanski (1-0) allowed three of the first four batters he faced to reach base, but finished his three-inning outing with seven strikeouts, including six in a row, for the win.

Spikes reliever Zach Kilby (0-1) took the loss after being charged with four runs on four hits and a walk while striking four batters over two innings.