SPIKES USE BIG INNING TO POWER 6-2 WIN OVER CROSSCUTTERS IN HOME OPENER

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: June 3, 2023

Courtesy of State College Spikes

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The State College Spikes overcame an early deficit with crooked numbers in the third and fourth, breaking open the game on Bryce Matthews’ two-run triple to take a 6-2 win over the Williamsport Crosscutters on Opening Night presented by PSECU at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

After falling behind in the top of the third on Tyrese Johnson’s two-run double, the Spikes (2-0) matched the Crosscutters (0-2) with two tallies of their own in the bottom half. Robby Morgan IV plated the first State College run with a sacrifice fly to center before Jack Riedel delivered a two-out RBI single to tie the game.

Bobby Sparling then sparked the Spikes’ four-run surge in the fourth by leading off with a double, scoring two batters later on Ethan Mendoza’s infield single. A Williamsport error then allowed Mendoza to cross the plate, with Matthews landing the crowning blow by tripling to the Lion Country Kia Corner in right field.

Matthews, a Washington State product, also made one of the best defensive plays of the game when, with runners on first and third and no outs in the top of the sixth, he fielded a fly ball along the right field foul line and made a 200-foot throw that kept Williamsport’s Daunte Stuart from scoring and allowed Spikes reliever Connery Peters (1-0) to escape the inning unscathed.

State College starter Caden Kaelber allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out four batters over three innings. Peters took over for Kaelber and picked up the victory with three scoreless frames, allowing one hit while striking out four batters in the process.

Williamsport reliever Ryan Geraghty (0-1) took the loss after being charged with four runs, one of them earned, on three hits and a walk over 1 1/3 innings. Geraghty also struck out three batters.

Saturday, the Spikes continue their season-opening series with the Crosscutters in a 6:35 p.m. matchup at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Ty Fisher, a Georgia Southern product who is the only left-handed pitcher currently on the State College roster, gets the ball for the home squad. Left-hander Trenton Shaw will oppose him on the mound for Williamsport.

The Opening Weekend fun continues with the second of back-to-back FIREWORKS shows, with Penn State Health presenting this themed display. It’s also Pride Night to mark the start of Pride Month featuring a Pride Hat Giveaway presented by Chumley’s Cocktail Bar for the first 500 fans, and it’s a Super Saturday presented by the PA Lottery and Pop 93.3 featuring the first Baseball Bingo of the season.