The State College Spikes will start the defense of their New York Penn League title on Friday night as they open the 2015 season against the Williamsport Crosscutters.
First pitch is set for 7:05 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
And while there will be plenty of new faces this season, including a new manager in Johnny Rodriguez, there isn’t any doubt in the eyes of the franchise that this will be yet another hard working club.
“We expect to have a competitive team with passionate players this season,” Rodriquez said.
It might be called short season baseball but the long haul of game after game will start Friday night with Ian McKinney taking the mound to toss out some left handed action. The 5-foot-11 pitcher won’t let his smaller stature get in the way of opening the season on the right foot.
A win on Friday sets up a Father’s Day game at 6:05 p.m. Sunday to finish off the season opening series against the Crosscutters. The spikes will be facing the Auburn Doubledays on Monday at 7:05 p.m.
State College has made it to the league championship series for two straight seasons. A successful campaign in 2015 could very well make it three straight as the once struggling Spikes turn into a respectable power at their division.
But the season is long, and thoughts of championships are many innings, pitches and stolen bases away. So for tonight it’s all about starting off on the right foot.
And of course, if you stick around after tonight’s game you can check out some fireworks as well.
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