According to the new rule, rather than the traditional format, the home team decides before the game in the event of extra innings whether or not to start on defense. The team batting will then have a runner on first with nobody out. If they score the runner on first, the batting team wins, if the opposition can get three outs, then they are the victor.

On Friday night, it was manager Jesse Litsch choosing to pitch in the sudden-death clash. It would be Mahoning Valley, however, which left Bowman Field with the sudden-death win after a 4-4 tie.

With AJ Rausch coming in as the pinch runner at first for Mahoning Valley, the speedster would advance on a wild pitch to get into scoring position. After walking Mason Sykes, five-hole hitter Braedon O’Shaughnessy ripped a 104 mph swing into the gap, securing the victory for Mahoning Valley.

“Honestly, I told him (way to go),” said Williamsport manager Jesse Litsch after the game regarding pitcher Titan Hayes. “He threw the heck out of the ball. He was a bulldog on the mound and wanted it in the 10th. … It’s unfortunate, but it’s baseball, and we move forward.”

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Williamsport's Edwin Toribio hits a double at Bowman Field in the second inning against Mahoning Valley on Friday.

It was heartbreak for Hayes, who’s solid outing in the eighth and ninth helped will the team back in the latter stages only too have one pitch get away in the closing stages.

After an uneventful first inning, the Scrappers would get going in the second. Designated hitter Mason Stykes would advance on a lead off walk. He would soon make it all the way to third courtesy of a wild pitch and stolen base. Five-hole hitter Braeden O’Shaughnessy would also advance on a walk placing runners at the corners.

In a classic base running play out of a Little League game, O’Shaugnessy attempted to steal second, and when Cutters catcher Jacob Harper threw an attempted throw down into center, O’Shaughnessy would advance to third while Stykes would score.

O’Shauggnesy would later score from third courtesy of a ground out by Colton Coates (1 for 2, two RBIs, two walks) to shortstop Daunte Stuart, who’s only play was at first. The two-run deficit for Williamsport marked the third time in as many home games where they would concede an early deficit

The Cutters would run into trouble again in the third. After Williamsport starter Tyler Kennedy struck out two to start, the righty would walk three straight batters. Kennedy, despite falling into a 3-1 count, would get his third strike out of the inning on the payoff pitch, stranding the runners.

Daunte Stuart of the Crosscutters is congratulated by the team after scoring in the third inning against Mahoning Valley at Bowman Field on Friday. Mahoning Valley won in sudden death. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The home side would provide a spark in the bottom half of the frame. With two outs, Daunte Stuart (2 for 3, walk) tapped a grounder past Mahoning Valley starter Noah Matheny and into the center field. The speedster one pitch later would steal second on a bang bang play.

“I just went out there and tried to play the game,” said Stuart. “The coaches are big on being aggressive on the base paths, and I like that. It’s (about) being able to get ready to run and get in a good position for my team. Luckily, we got the hit and drove the run in.”

Two pitches later, designated hitter Jack Oberdorf (1 for 4, RBI) sliced an opposite field single to right, scoring Stuart and halving the deficit.

The fourth inning was highlighted by defensive plays for Williamsport. After a lead-off walk was given up from reliever Nate Wohlgemut, the Cutters capped off a strike-’em-out, throw-’em-out double play from catcher Jacob Harper. The top half would end courtesy of a diving snag by left fielder Sean Smith.

Wohlgemut would tighten it up on the night, and finished with just the one walk given up in two innings while throwing four strikeouts, including a strike-out-the-side fifth inning.

Jack Crowder of the Crosscutters throws against Mahoning Valley at Muncy Bank Ballpark June 9, 2023. Mahoning Valley won in sudden death 5-4. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The Crosscutters put the pressure on Matheny in the bottom of fifth with a hit by pitch to Joe Sullivan and a sharp single by Stuart putting runners at the corners. Oberdorf was unable to capitalize, with a 6-4-3 double play snuffing out the chance.

It was a clutch showing on the hill for Matheny, giving up five hits and three walks in five innings yet only conceding one run while tossing four strikeouts.

“Obviously, walks killed us tonight,” said Litsch. “When we are walking 14, 15, whatever it was, that’s just not baseball.”

A bad spot nearly turned into disaster for the Cutters in the seventh.

After Dante Leach got aboard with a lead off walk, he quickly stole second. Cutters reliever Ethan O’Neil then attempted a pick off that sailed into center field. Leach than rounded third and attempted to score, only to be denied when a relay to home beat him to it.

Jacob Harper of the Crosscutters tags out Dante Leach of Mahoning Valley at home in the top of the seventh inning at Bowman Field. Mahoning Valley won in sudden death. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Defensive indifference would be followed by brilliance, with Harper throwing out JaQuavious Fleming while attempting to steal second. The throw out was Harper’s second of the game.

After holding firm with solid pitching, the Scrappers would create a carousel in the eighth at the plate against reliever Jacob Hasty. The lefty issued four straight walks to Cole Conn (two walks, run), Sykes, O’Shaughnessy and Coates to make it 3-1. Hasty would strike out the next batter, but allow another walk to Leach before getting the pull with the bases loaded, two outs and the Cutters down 4-1.

Titan Hayes would come in against Fleming and after throwing three straight balls, would strike out the nine whole hitter giving Williamsport a life line.

Newcomers Stanley Tucker and Ryan Ignoffo would both capitalize, getting on base via a single and walk respectively. Another newcomer in Colson Lawrence, who wasn’t on the roster list nor had a number prior to his plate appearance, would draw a walk to load up the bases for Harper.

With his name in the lights, the catcher delivered a rip down the left field line, clearing the bases with a three run RBI double to tie the game at four heading into the ninth.

Titan Hayes of the Crosscutters walks off the field as Mahoning Valley celebrate their sudden death victory at Bowman Field.

“That at-bat was special. I know that kid didn’t have anything that could beat anybody,” said a bemused Harper. “After he had just thrown a fastball for a ball, I knew he wasn’t gonna come back with it. It was (just about) seeing that slider up, and hoping to get the barrel on it.”

A scoreless ninth set up the new sudden-death format in the tenth, where the Scrappers would secure their victory in the opening series.

“I love it,” said Litsch. “It makes the game obviously shorter, and it gives the players a sense of ‘OK, it’s a walk-off win or we go home.’ It puts the game in a pressure situation where you see a different side of some guys.”

Following the loss, the Crosscutters will be back at Bowman Field on Saturday for game two of the three-game set vs. Mahoning Valley. First pitch at the ballpark is set for 6:35 p.m.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Williamsport's Tyler Kennedy pitches in the first inning at Bowman Field against Mahoning Valley on Friday.