Spikes' Small Ball, Hot Pitching Highlight Opening Series Win (Series Recap)

Recaps

TUESDAY: Thunder 8, Spikes 7

• The Spikes went down early to the tune of 5 runs in the bottom of the 1st. After 7 unanswered runs, Spikes' righthander Sam Swygert allowed a single up the middle as the Thunder walked it off in the bottom of the 9th.

• L: Sam Swygert (1.2 IP, 3 SO, 1 ER, 41 pitches)

WEDNESDAY: Spikes 3, Thunder 0

• After a tough opening day loss, the Spikes found the win column for the first time this season, marked by a 14-strikeout performance from the pitching staff. Wednesday's win was the first shutout win for the Spikes since June 1, 2023 in a 4-0 win over the Williamsport Crosscutters.

• W: Jason Flores (2.0 IP, 3 SO, 0 ER, 35 pitches)

THURSDAY: Spikes 10, Thunder 0

• The Spikes continued to use the small ball to their advantage in a series-clinching shutout win, with 6 runs coming off of RBI singles and 2 from sac flies. The Spikes' pitching staff recorded a season-low 2 walks while striking out 11 batters in the win.

• W: Jaren Warwick (2.2 IP, 5 SO, 0 ER, 45 pitches)

Player of the Series: LF Samuel Benjamin [7-for-15, 4 RBI, 3 SB]

• The one constant in this series was Sam Benjamin, as he was placed at the forefront of the Spikes' small-ball attack. All of his 7 hits were singles, and he needed nothing more than that to drive in a team-leading 4 runs.

Pitcher of the Series: LHP Chris Stuart [4.1 IP, 8 SO, 0 ER]

• On Opening Day, Stuart was a bright spot during a dismal pitching day for the Spikes, pitching 2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. He helped build onto the 10-0 shutout win on Thursday with 2.1 innings out of the bullpen to finish the job and help the Spikes win the series.

Next Series

The Spikes come home to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park for the first time this season as the West Virginia Black Bears come to town from Friday to Sunday. All three games will be at 6:35 PM eastern time. All three games will be streamed live on www.mlb.watch.pixellot.tv. You can listen to the Spikes all season on Audio Listen Live, and live stats as well as pregame lineups can be found on mlbdraftleague.com/scores.