FREDERICK, MD – In a game where the scoreboard nearly overheated, the State College Spikes roared past the Frederick Keys with a 16-12 victory on Tuesday night, turning Nymeo Field into a highlight reel for anyone who loves offense.
The evening kicked off with the Keys grabbing an early lead, as Irvin Escobar (FRE) singled in the first before Cam Hassert (FRE) launched a two-run homer to right. The Spikes quickly found themselves down 2-0, but the fireworks were just getting started.
The Spikes clawed back in the second, as Dan Tauken (SC) singled and later came around to score on a fielder’s choice grounded out by Adonis Forte (SC), trimming the deficit to 2-1.
The third inning saw the Keys widen the gap. Taj Bates (FRE) doubled home two runs and then scored on a sharp single from Isaiah Greene (FRE), pushing Frederick’s advantage to 5-1. But the Spikes responded in a big way in the top of the fourth. After Cole Caruso (SC) walked, Manny Jackson (SC) crushed a two-run shot to right-center, bringing the Spikes within two.
Momentum continued to shift in the fifth. The Spikes tied the game when Jaden Collura (SC) and Chenar Brown (SC) worked their way around the bases, capitalizing on a wild pitch and a groundout RBI by T.J. Salvaggio (SC). Then, after Cole Caruso (SC) doubled, Dan Tauken (SC) put State College ahead for the first time with a two-run blast to center. By the end of the inning, the Spikes were suddenly on top, 7-5.
The State College offense exploded for six more runs in the sixth. Key hits included T.J. Salvaggio (SC) singling to center field bringing in Trotter Boston (SC). Dan Tauken (SC) then singled to bring in T.J. Salvaggio (SC). And finally Manny Jackson (SC) tripled on a ground ball bringing in Cole Caruso (SC) Dan Tauken (SC) and himself via a throwing error! This brought the score to 13-5
But Frederick refused to go quietly. In their half of the seventh, Taj Bates (FRE) struck again, belting a two-run homer to chip away at the Spikes’ cushion. The score sat at 13-7 heading to the final two innings.
Not to be outdone, the Spikes padded their lead in the ninth. Adonis Forte (SC) tripled in two runs and scored moments later on a sacrifice fly by Trotter Boston (SC). That seemingly safe 16-7 lead, however, didn’t last long.
The Keys’ last-ditch rally made things tense for Spikes fans. Taj Bates (FRE), Devan Bade (FRE), and Irvin Escobar (FRE) all drove in runs, with Bade slugging a three-run homer to left-center that sent a jolt through the ballpark and cut the Spikes’ lead to just four. But reliever Richie Cimpric (SC) shut the door, striking out Bronson Rivera (FRE) to end the game and secure a wild, hard-fought win.
The Spikes’ offense was unstoppable, with multi-hit games up and down the lineup. Manny Jackson (SC) and Dan Tauken (SC) combined for eight RBIs, while Adonis Forte (SC) was a catalyst all night, reaching base, stealing bags, and crossing the plate multiple times.
With this explosive performance, the Spikes improved to 22-13 on the season full season (5-1 in the half season), showing that no lead is safe and no deficit too daunting for this relentless lineup. The win also gave Skyler Riedinger (SC) his first victory, while Paul Panduro (FRE) took the loss for the Keys.
State College will look to keep the bats hot as they go back home for a 5 game homestand.
