After a weight training accident Friday, Roman Quinn was a late scratch prior to the start of the game.
Saturday, he made an immediate impact, reaching on a lead-off bunt and going on to score. The run, which gave Williamsport its first lead since the All-Star break, pumped some much needed confidence into the Cutters offense.
Williamsport continued with its new found swagger, defeating Jamestown, 7-3, and ending a four-game skid that had the team reeling.
It was the perfect way to treat the 1,574 fans at Bowman, who were also treated with a 90s themed fireworks show after the victory.
"I was big knowing we didn't have to fight at the end of the game," Quinn said of getting the early lead. "When we score runs like that early, we usually get the win."
The game wasn't all perfect for Quinn, who gave the crowd a scary moment when he attempted to beat out the lead-off bunt.
Mike Vaughn, playing in his first New York-Penn League game, jumped out from behind the plate, fielding the ball cleanly. His attempt on the throw went to the outside of the base, forcing Felix Munoz off the bag an into Quinn.
Quinn appeared dazed after the collision, but stayed in the game, stealing second and scoring the Cutters first run for a quick 1-0 lead.
"I'm the lead-off man and that's what I'm here for," Quinn said when asked about the importance of getting the offense going. "I set the tone with my speed, get on base and score runs."
The offense continued to come for the struggling Cutters.
Larry Greene Jr. doubled to deep left field to open the second and was brought around by a Kevin Quaranto single.
Greene, who connected with three doubles in Thursday's 8-3 loss to Batavia, has been one of the bright spots in the Cutters line-up, which has gone a combined 1 for 29 with runners in scoring position prior to entering Saturday's game.
Greene's single in the second helped reverse the Cutters current offensive struggles, making it a perfect 2 for 2 with runners in scoring position through the first two innings of Saturday's game.
And if that was something that go the fans fired up, the sixth inning surely sent them into a frenzy as it marked the most productive inning for the Cutters since the break.
"We kept adding runs in the inning and it was huge," Williamsport manager Andy Tracy said. "They were aggressive and we didn't take a lot of pitches that could be hit. It was another learning night and they saw what happens when they are aggressive."
Serritella opened the sixth inning rally with a double, starting a trend in which the next four batters reached safely. Greene followed Serritella with a walk and Olmo then scored Serritella with a single into the right-center field gap. Quaranto, connecting with his second single of the night, drove Greene in on the next at-bat.
The Cutters also benefited from a series of passed balls, scoring two of their five runs in the sixth when pitches went to the backstop.
"It was a good game," Tracy said. "We've talked about situational hitting and it looks like we were 6 for 8 in situational hitting today. We moved guys from second third and then guys at third base. Obviously, the Jammers had some trouble, helping us with passed balls, but we've been on the other end."
Kevin Brady, who started the game for the Cutters, has been one of the more consistent pitchers on the staff. In five starts, and one relief appearance, Brady has complied a 1.66 era in 21.2 innings. He also has racked up an impressive 29 strikeouts over the stretch without issuing a walk.
Brady, pitching with a lead, limited the Jammers offense by forcing groundouts and keeping a lot of his pitches down and away from batters.
A lead-off double in the third and a single in the fourth put Brady into tough situations, but in both instances he fought back to end the threat with a pop-out to second and strikeout, respectively.
Despite making his first appearance in the league, Vaughn's night read like an experienced player, getting two doubles and a home run to open the fifth. His fifth inning shot over the left field fence sparked a 2-run rally for the Jammers, knotting the scoring at 2-2.
"It was unbelievable," Tracy said of the team's composure after Jamestown tied the game. "The guys always battle. It's a process and I'm very proud of the kids tonight."
After being hit around, Tracy decided to pull Brady for Steve Inch, who ended the surge with a strikeout. Inch went on to retire the next four batters he faced, getting through the sixth by sitting Jamestown down in order.
