It would become another night where the rally reigned supreme, with a five run fifth inning catapulting the Cutters potentially working to within a game of first place in the Draft League standings.

After a slow start Friday night, Williamsport bats would reign in the weekend in style starting with a Chris Stanfield leadoff single. A Maddix Dalena walk and double steal would put the pair in scoring position for Brodey Acres, who quickly put the Cutters up 2-0 on a 105 mile per hour single up the middle.

A two out rally would extend the Cutter advantage two innings later. With two away and no one on, an Amari Allen single and Chance Jennings double would throw two in scoring position. Coming into the game with a .036 average, outfielder Kelly Robertson would net his fired RBI on the season when he beat out an infield single to third.

But Aberdeen would strike back in the top of the fourth inning. With the Ironbirds last in the League in home runs, .143 hitter Anthony Quigley would counter that fact on a first pitch drive that cleared the left field wall to cut Williamsport’s lead to two.

Maddix Dalena of the Crosscutters celebrates after scoring in the 5th inning against Aberdeen at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The solo shot would be the only blemish for Evan Grimes’ starter debut for the Cutters. The D3 product would concede one run in four innings with two hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts.

“It’s funny, his first three pitches were balls and I thought ‘Oh no!'” chucked Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas. “I’m sure he had a little nerves, but man he pitched four really good innings.. Just because he is in D3 doesn’t mean anything, players are everywhere.”

The Crosscutters would quickly swing momentum back on their side in the bottom of the frame, with a leadoff Chris Stanfield triple quickly putting a runner in scoring position. Maddix Dalena would not disappoint a batter later, launching a deep flyout to left field to score Stanfield and make it 4-1 Crosscutters.

Aberdeen starter Michael Orbegozo would survive through the fourth before getting pulled. The right hander would concede four runs in four innings pitched with eight hits, five walks, and two strikeouts.

The night would prove to belong to Kelly Robertsons’s in the bottom of the fifth inning. With Amari Allen and Chance Jennings on via a catcher’s interference and infield single, the JuCo product would lace a bases clearing double down the left field line to make it 6-1 Cutters.

Chris Stanfield of the Crosscutters runs to first on an RBI single in the 5th against Aberdeen at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Not one to steal the spotlight, Chris Stanfield would continue his dominant day in his first time as a leadoff batter, ripping a single up the middle for his fourth hit of the game to score Robertson.

A Maddix Dalena walk later, and Stanfield would come into score when a double stolen base led to an errant throw from Ironbird catcher Leamsi Montanez, shifting Stanfield home. The rally would be completed with Ben Tryon, who would knock a single up the middle to score Dalena and make it 9-1 Williamsport after five.

Stanfield would further make his night with a single in the seventh inning, marking the first athlete in the MLB Draft League this season and the second for Williamsport in the Draft League era to notch a five hit outing.

“Since the first day here, he is a totally different player than when he came in,” echoed Thomas.

Not to be outdone, Robertson would secure his fourth run batted in during the eighth on an infield single to third. In total, Robertson would secure his first four runs batted in on the season while his average increased from .036 to .121.

Maddix Dalena of the Crosscutters slides safely into second as Ryan Kroepel of Aberdeen tries to make the play at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“He struggled so much,” admitted Thomas. “And not only did he swing the bat extremely well, but he made two very good catches in the field. I was very proud of him tonight.”

Aberdeen would find consolation in the ninth with Collin Priest, who’s 112 mile per hour solo shot to right field marked the hardest hit ball in the Draft League this summer. Williamsport reliever Will Howell would recover,

The win moves Williamsport to 15-6 on the season, marking their 14th win in their last 16 contests and their 11th win at home this season. Billtown will look for the sweep Sunday, with the Cutters hosting Aberdeen for game three of a three game set beginning at 4:05pm from Historic Bowman Field

Chris Stanfield of the Crosscutters dives safely back to first base on a throw to first by Aberdeen at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette