NILES, Ohio – The State College Spikes (0-1) dropped their 2025 season opener to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (1-0) by a score of 10-2 on Tuesday night at Eastwood Field. Despite striking first in the top of the first inning, the Spikes couldn’t contain a relentless Scrappers offense that tallied 14 hits and took control early.
Landen Johnson gave State College a brief lead in the top of the first, driving in Caden Shapiro with a line-drive single to right field after Shapiro reached on an error and stole second. But that lead didn’t last long.
Mahoning Valley responded in the bottom of the frame with a four-run rally fueled by a pair of walks, a fielding error, and a key ground-rule double from Trey Fenderson that brought in two runs. The Scrappers never looked back.
How It Happened
After the explosive first inning, the Scrappers added two more in the third and three in the fourth. Max Hartman was hit by a pitch and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Ty Powell. Keegan Rodin’s RBI single stretched the lead to 6-1.
By the end of the fourth, the Spikes trailed 8-1. State College starter Aidan Lee (0-1) struggled in his debut, allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits over three innings. Relievers Bobby Olsen and Jason Shockley gave up four more runs combined.
The Spikes managed just three hits on the night. Hugh Pinkney and Quinn Bentley each reached base twice, and Bentley drew two of the team’s four walks. The Spikes went just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
Mahoning Valley starter Chase Frey (1-0) was sharp in five innings of work, scattering two hits and striking out four while not allowing an earned run. The Scrappers bullpen held the Spikes to just one hit over the final four frames.
Looking Ahead
The Spikes will look to rebound Wednesday night in Game 2 of their early-season road trip. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. as they try to even the series and notch their first win of the season.
