Photo by Juliette Phillips for HVS
TRENTON NJ – The State College Spikes couldn’t find their footing on Sunday afternoon as they fell to the Trenton Thunder, 8-1, at Trenton Thunder Ballpark. It was a game defined by missed opportunities for the Spikes and efficient, aggressive play from the Thunder, who capitalized on every misstep to secure the win.
The Thunder wasted no time getting on the board in the bottom of the first. After a scoreless top half, Logan Dawson and Aaron Whitley led off the second with back-to-back singles, putting immediate pressure on Spikes starter Dayne Pengelly. A wild pitch advanced both runners, and although the Spikes managed a key out at the plate on a fielder’s choice, Michael Whooley’s sharp single to center scored both Whitley and JuJu Stevens, who came home after a throwing error by center fielder Cole Pladson. Just like that, Trenton was up 2-0.
Meanwhile, the Spikes struggled to generate offense against Thunder starter Joe Ariola and reliever John Carver. Dylan LaPointe managed a single in the second, and Ryan Rivera roped a double in the third, but each time, the threat fizzled out as the Thunder defense stood firm.
Trenton added another run in the third thanks to a sequence highlighted by Dawson’s second hit and a stolen base, setting up Evin Sullivan’s sacrifice fly to make it 3-0. The Thunder lineup continued to pressure the Spikes with smart baserunning and timely hitting.
The Spikes finally broke through in the sixth. Singles from Rivera and Harrison Didawick set the table, and after a walk to Dan Tauken loaded the bases, Cole Pladson drew another walk to bring home Rivera and cut the deficit to 3-1. But that was all the Spikes could muster, as pinch-hitter Quinn Bentley popped out to end the threat.
The bottom of the sixth proved decisive. Trenton took advantage of a walk, a fielding error by Matt Evans, and a clutch single by Brayden Fraasman. When Rowan Masse drove in two more with a single, the Thunder’s lead ballooned to 7-1. The Spikes’ bullpen couldn’t slow the onslaught, and Trenton tacked on an eighth run in the eighth when Harry Genth doubled home Whooley.
Despite a single from Camden Ross and a walk by Bentley in the ninth, the Spikes were unable to mount a comeback, striking out twice to end the game.
On the mound, John Carver earned the win for Trenton with a sparkling relief effort, while Pengelly took the loss for the Spikes. The Thunder committed no errors and capitalized on three Spikes miscues.
For the Spikes, Rivera and Didawick each collected two hits, but offensive support was sparse. For the Thunder, Dawson, Whitley, Whooley, and Masse all delivered multi-hit efforts, and the team combined for six stolen bases, keeping the Spikes’ defense on its heels all afternoon.
The Spikes (8-10) will look to regroup as they return home, while the Thunder (10-11) ride the momentum of a well-earned win.
