State College PA – The State College Spikes (0-2) dropped their second straight game of the season at their home opener, Friday night at Medlar Field, falling 11-3 to the West Virginia Black Bears (2-1) after a stunning eight-run ninth inning sealed the visitors’ victory.
The game remained close through eight innings, tied at 3-3 after a spirited Spikes rally in the bottom of the sixth. But the ninth proved disastrous for the home side, as West Virginia’s offense erupted with six hits, a home run, and three stolen bases—capitalizing on two hit batters and a fielding error—to blow the game open.
How It Happened
West Virginia struck first in the third inning when Sam Miller scored on a Tyler Pettorini RBI single. They added runs in the fifth and sixth, including a sacrifice fly by Miller and a wild pitch that brought in Judah Morris to make it 3-0.
The Spikes showed signs of life in the bottom of the sixth. Singles from Javon Hernandez and Matt Evans plated three runs, tying the game 3-3 and electrifying the crowd. Evans also stole second to keep pressure on the Black Bears.
However, State College couldn’t maintain momentum. After a scoreless seventh and eighth, Spikes reliever Keagen Kohlhoff was tagged with the loss in his debut, and the bullpen unraveled in the top of the ninth. The Bears stacked base runners with timely singles and hit batters, then broke the tie with a two-RBI single from Koby Kropf, followed by a two-run double from Judah Morris. Connor Hicks delivered the crushing blow—a three-run home run to right field, his first of the season—bringing the score to 10-3.
A fun note: Judah Morris was the Big Mac batter of the game, meaning if a pitcher struck him out, the crowd would get a coupon for a free big mac. Each time he came up the crowd shouted “BIG MAC!” throughout his entire at bat. Upon his last at bat he swung at two pitches giving him two strikes. With just one more strike needed, the pitch came in and Morris slammed the ball deep into center field, bringing in two runs, and also decimating the fans.
Sam Miller capped the inning with a single to score Kam Edwards, who had singled and stolen second, making it 11-3.
The Spikes were retired in order in the bottom of the ninth by David Leslie, who earned the win in relief (1-0).
What’s Next
The Spikes will look to bounce back Saturday as they continue their homestand. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m in their second game against the Black Bears.
📸 Our full game photo gallery is available below.
