Making the last out in regulation, Vantrel Reed would represent the designated runner against Frederick reliever Jace Milner, who had pitched the last three innings of the game going into sudden death.

Milner, who didn’t have a roster number coming into the game, made the biggest play of the night by picking off Reed just a pitch into extras.

From there, the Wichita State graduate would strike out Jackson Mayo before being relieved for Davis Smith. Needing just one out to win the game, Smith would walk Max Mandler before forcing a TJ Racherbaumer popup to win the game for the visitors.

“The first frustration is that I chose to hit,” said Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas. “Our bullpen was limited tonight, and I didn’t have anybody down there, so I chose to hit… If I could go back, I wish I could’ve picked in the top of the ninth what we wanted to do.”

Dantrel Reed of the Williamsport Crosscutters slides safely into second base after stealing against the Keys in the first inning at Journey Bank Ballpark. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Always good for a fast start, Williamsport would score in the bottom of the first inning for the third straight game starting with a Vantrel Reed leadoff single.

The LSU-Shreveport graduate would steal second to get in scoring position for Jackson Mayo, who laced a single to right field to bring home the runner. The hit also extended Mayo’s hitting streak to 12 games and an on-base streak to 19 contests, both ballclub highs this season.

But Frederick would equalize a half inning later, leading off with a Jamal Ritter walk. With two outs, Ritter would move into scoring position from a Parks Bouck base on balls. The former would come in to score in the next at-bat, speeding home on an Ethan Ott single to left field that leveled the scoring.

That would be the only blemish for Williamsport starter Brad Rudis on the night. The reliever-turned-starter had a breakout evening for the Cutters, pitching five innings while conceding one run on two hits with two walks and six strikeouts.

With Williamsport’s bullpen playing historically thin in recent weeks, the Keys would take advantage in the sixth starting with a two out Jamal Ritter single. The runner would swipe second for Taj Bates, who gave the Keys their first lead of the night on a single up the middle to score Ritter.

Vantrel Reed of the Williamsport Crosscutters celebrates after he scored in the first inning against the Keys at Journey Bank Ballpark. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

In the bottom of the sixth, small ball heroics would give Williamsport a response. TJ Racherbaumer and Marcus Brodil would set the tone early, starting the frame with back to back singles. Joey Parliment would move both into scoring position on a bunt-out down the first base line with Carlos Castillo on deck.

Ultimately, Williamsport’s lead in games played this season would tie the game, flying out to score Racherbaumer and make it 2-2 after six.

Frederick starter Harold Baez would see out the sixth inning before being relieved. The Florida native would go six innings allowing two runs on nine hits with three strikeouts at the plate.

Only zeroes would beckon the scoreboard the rest of the way, with Jared Ure and Holland Townes blanking the Keys as Jace Miner did the same against Williamsport bats.

That would leave the game to sudden death, where Williamsport were bested by the Keys in extras for the second time this season.

Max Mandler of the Williamsport Crosscutters gets the force out of Taj Bates of the Keys at first base during the second inning at Journey Bank Ballpark. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The loss is the third straight for Williamsport, with their second half record of 14-10 now three games back from first place West Virginia. Billtown will look to cut the losing skid Sunday afternoon, where they host the Keys in the series finale.