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UNIVERSITY PARK - Justin Journette's sacrifice fly in the seventh brought in the go-ahead run as the State College Spikes maintained their lead in the MLB Draft League's second-half standings and captured a series victory against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers with a 4-3 win on Wednesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
The Spikes (14-8 2nd Half) responded after Mahoning Valley (8-15 2nd Half) broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh on Zion Williams's RBI triple and Kaikea Harrison's run-scoring single through a drawn-in infield. Ryan Rivera started the charge with a double to left field, then scored on Nyan Hayes's RBI single. After Trent Turner singled Hayes to second, Hayes stole third base one pitch before CJ Richmond drew a walk.
Camden Ross was then hit by a pitch to notch his 33rd RBI of the season the hard way and tie the game before Journette's fly ball to left field scored Turner with the eventual winning run just moments before Richmond was thrown out at third.
Journette also drove in the Spikes' first run with a two-out single in the first.
With the win, the Spikes kept a 1 ½-game lead over the Aberdeen IronBirds in the MLB Draft League second-half standings.
State College reliever Charlie Smith (2-0) picked up the win after pitching the seventh inning for the Spikes. Patrick Morris (4) allowed one hit and one walk but notched all three outs via strikeout in the ninth for the save.
Mahoning Valley reliever Nick Anello (0-3) took the loss after being charged with all three Spikes runs in the seventh.
The Spikes will seek a sweep of their three-game series against the Scrappers on Thursday night with a 6:35 p.m. game at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Left-hander Caleb Ruter (0-2) will make the start on the mound for State College, while Mahoning Valley will go with right-hander Jay Newman (1-1).