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WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - The State College Spikes let a 4-0 lead slip away but recovered in the MLB Draft League Overtime Tiebreaker to win on Camden Ross's walk-off single and top the Williamsport Crosscutters, 5-4, to stay just a half-game back of a title game berth on Friday night at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field.
With the win, the Spikes (24-18 2nd Half) nearly took the lead in the battle for the second-half berth in the MLB Draft League Championship Game with the win. However, the Aberdeen IronBirds rallied themselves, scoring five runs in the ninth inning to top the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and stay ahead in the race with a 25-18 second-half record.
In the MLB Draft League Overtime Tiebreaker, Williamsport (25-17 2nd Half), the league's first-half champion and current second-half leader, chose defense and sent left-hander Brandon Scott to the hill. The Spikes placed Ryan Rivera on first base, then, after CJ Richmond's leadoff walk, pinch-ran Kyle Singer with the winning run.
Ross then smashed the first pitch he saw down the left field line to bring home Singer and start a celebration between first and second base.
Richmond started the night by setting a new Spikes single-season record with his 51st RBI of the season, besting big leaguer David Washington's 50 in a season set in 2013. The Purdue first baseman sent another double rocketing to the left-center field wall to begin the scoring.
Jackson Mayo started strong for the Spikes once again, delivering five scoreless innings for the second straight outing. Mayo allowed three hits and two walks while striking out two batters.
State College built its lead with two runs in the first inning on Richmond's wall-ball double along with Blake Bradford's RBI single, followed by a Jacoby Long double to score the third run in the second.
Justin Journette plated an insurance run in the sixth with a single to bring home Ross, running his RBI count to 41 for the season.
The Spikes then navigated through difficult times in the sixth and seventh. Williamsport scored its first two runs on Trey Wells's fielder's choice in the sixth and Nicholas Romano's RBI groundout. In the seventh, the Crosscutters loaded the bases with one out, then scored on Matthew Williams's walk and a Chris Stanfield fielder's choice.
Patrick Morris then put out any further fires with 1 1/3 scoreless innings to finish regulation, allowing one hit, striking out two batters, and picking Stanfield off first to complete the outing.
Saturday, the Spikes continue their regular-season-ending six-game series with the Crosscutters in game three of the set at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field. The 6:35 p.m. matchup will mark the only time in the series that consecutive games are at the same stadium, with right-hander Charlie Smith (3-0) opening on the mound for State College against Williamsport left-hander Evan Grimes (1-2).
The Spikes and Crosscutters will then return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Sunday for the penultimate game of the Spikes' 20th Anniversary Season home schedule.
The skies will light up with a fantastic FIREWORKS show presented by Penn Highlands Healthcare after the game, and the first 1,000 fans through the gates to start the night will receive an Ike the Spike Bobblehead Giveaway presented by McClure Company. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. with early entry for Season Ticket holders and groups.
Plus, if fans have bobbleheads they’d like to trade, or if you would like to exchange the bobblehead received at the gates, the Bobblehead Trading Post is open throughout the night to touch base with fellow bobblehead enthusiasts. The Spikes will partner up with Springnecks, a leading bobblehead group spreading the hobby across the Mid-Atlantic, and they will have a wide array of bobbleheads available for trade at the Bobblehead Trading Post.
It’s also THON Night, as we start the drive towards THON 2027 with a variety of fun activities, on the last Sunday Funday of the season presented by BIG Froggy 101, featuring a Pre-Game Catch on the Field from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. The first 250 kids 12 and under also eat for free, with a voucher for a free hot dog, chips and soda available at the entrance gates.
Plus, fans of age can enjoy Half-Price Hard Seltzers, Sun Cruiser Iced Tea Vodka, and Dogfish Head Blood Orange & Mango Vodka Crush from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
It's also an Ike's Kids Club FREE Game, with free admission to the game for kids 12 and under who are members of Ike's Kids Club. For more information on how to join Ike's Kids Club, visit StateCollegeSpikes.com.
After the game, kids can come down to the field for Kids Run the Bases presented by Mount Nittany Health.
Tickets for both home games remaining on the 20th Anniversary Season schedule, each now featuring FIREWORKS, are available by calling 814-271-1711 or by visiting the Spikes Ticket Office from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with hours during home game days of 10 a.m. to the end of the game Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to the end of the game on Saturday and Sunday.
Spikes fans can also celebrate the final month of the 20th Anniversary Season with 20% off single-game tickets and select Luxury Suites at the ballpark with the 20/20 Special presented by The Clubhouse Family Fun Centre at the Nittany Valley Sports Centre.
That’s not just 20% off Diamond Club, Field Box, Bullpen Box and Outfield Bleacher seats – even select Luxury Suites from Tuesday to Thursday are 20% off for every remaining home game in our 20th Anniversary Season.
Use promo code AUGUST20 by phone at 814-272-1711, at the Spikes Ticket Office, or click this link: https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2new/team.asp?SponsorID=19353&promocode=AUGUST20.
Fans can use promo code AUGUST20 to buy and download single-game tickets, and view the 2026 promotional schedule, by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
Catch all the action of the Spikes' game against the Crosscutters on Saturday via the Spikes Radio Network presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics with Steve Jones and Joe Putnam on the call. The broadcast starts with Spikes Live! presented by Mount Nittany Health on the air from Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field starting at approximately 6:20 p.m.
Audio streaming of every Spikes game, home and away, is available on StateCollegeSpikes.com.