A rain delay couldn’t dampen the energy at Medlar Field on Thursday night, as the State College Spikes capitalized on timely hits and solid pitching to top the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 5–3. The win evens the Spikes’ record at 5–4 and bumps the Scrappers to 5–4 on the season.
After a quiet couple of innings marked by defensive efficiency and a handful of strikeouts, the Spikes got things rolling in the bottom of the third. With Dylan LaPointe and Landen Johnson both singling to set the table, Ryan Rivera laid down a textbook sac bunt to move them into scoring position. That brought up Carmelo Musacchia, who delivered in a big way, launching a 2-RBI double to left and electrifying the home crowd. But the inning wasn’t over—Musacchia would eventually swipe third and score on a throwing error by catcher Keegan Rodin, giving State College a 3–0 lead.
Mahoning Valley answered in the top of the fourth, albeit modestly. A bases-loaded situation was defused when Seth Farni grounded into a force out, plating Max Hartman but halting any serious momentum.
The Spikes padded their lead again in the sixth. Cole Pladson drew a walk, then advanced to third on a single by LaPointe, who had a standout night at the plate. Johnson followed with another single, scoring Pladson. Moments later, Rivera grounded into a force out that brought in LaPointe, extending the Spikes’ lead to 5–1.
But the Scrappers weren’t done just yet. In the top of the seventh, Trey Fenderson laced a single to right before JC Vanek crushed a 2-run homer to right-center—his first of the season—cutting the deficit to 5–3. It was a no-doubter that injected some late-game tension into the contest.
Still, the Spikes’ bullpen remained composed. Carter Holjes picked up the win (1–0) in relief with a scoreless fifth inning, while Rodney Shultz sealed the deal in the ninth to earn the save—his first of the season. The pitching staff collectively held Mahoning Valley to just three hits on the evening, even as both teams shuffled through five arms apiece.
On the defensive side, Matthew Polk turned in a quietly excellent performance at second base, handling four putouts, contributing to a double play, and even grabbing a walk and a stolen base at the plate.
Despite late pressure, the Spikes never surrendered the lead after that pivotal third inning. Their clean defensive showing—zero errors on the night—proved just as critical as their clutch hits.
