Starting pitcher Shaun Gamelin of the Crosscutters throws in the first inning against Trenton at Muncy Bank Ballpark July 12, 2023. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

It’s the time of the year where the MLB Draft League takes a tone shift.

The first half can almost be seen as more laid back. Team success, whilst always dominating the local headlines and is the unified goal of the squad, is something that may fall in the background in the grand scheme of things in favor of showing off one’s individual accolades.

With the first half billed as a chance for the top college and draft eligible talent to throw or hit one last bullet point on the resume, individual showcases fall into the spotlight.

So when these squads translate to the second half, everything becomes much more no-nonsense.

“It’s pro ball now,” said Williamsport Crosscuttter manager Jesse Litsch after a tough 9-2 loss Tuesday night. “If these guys can’t throw strikes, they are not gonna be here. So that’s gonna be the difference from the first half to the second half … this is professional baseball now.”

Pitching was an especially hot topic in the first half, with the Cutters finishing both first in batting average allowed and walks conceded. Overall, with the first half geared towards development, the staff was both the biggest ally and villain for the Cutters.

But now, with the second half campaign requiring production, that area of the field has resonated more than ever. It reverberated in the bad since last Tuesday, when a dilapidated staff conceded 12 walks in the 9-2 defeat.

“Not what we are looking for,” echoed Litsch. “New team, new bodies. It’s frustrating not throwing strikes and losing games that way.”

While some fans may have received flashbacks to what transpired in the first half, Williamsport’s new ace would portray a different picture just one night later.

It’s been a long road to Williamsport for Cutters ace Shaun Gamelin. Beginning his collegiate career with Division III’s Fitchburg State, the Rhode Island native’s journey over the last six years have featured two colleges and a dizzying seven summer league teams.

Whilst wearing numerous hats for his playing career, a common theme that the 24-year-old has built is his consistent production on the slab, something he’s brought with and then some to Williamsport.

The West Kingston native kept it simple when asked what he’d bring to Williamsport, stating that he’d bring “Consistency and continuing to pound the zone. Just sticking to the game plan.”

With simple words, Gamelin has been able to deliver, posting a 2-0 record in as many starts, with an eye popping 1.50 ERA and seven strikeouts in the two contests.

“The competition is definitely a little bit higher, definitely a little bit better,” discussed Gamelin. “So it’s about focus, just tuning it up a bit. But baseball is baseball, the game never really changes.”

Gamelin’s most recent start has been the most vital in the early part of the second half, with with Rhode Island College graduate toeing the slab the night after the 9-2 defeat, Gamelin’s six innings pitched and only two runs given up set the tone in the Cutters’ 7-4 win, snapping a two game losing streak.

“After yesterday’s game, it was really about just pounding the zone and letting the defense do the work behind me,” said Gamelin. “Everyone just put together a good game plan today, we executed, and the results were the results.”

“He was great,” said Litsch. “Threw the ball well, challenged hitters, threw strikes. That’s the big stuff.”

In fact, the only blemishes to be noted of for the ace have been home runs, with the only Thunder batters crossing home plate during his outing coming on two solo shots.

“Two solo home runs… I told him ‘solo home runs are never gonna hurt you,'” said Litsch. “‘It’s just a matter of going out and seeing what you do after the home run.’ That’s what I told him after the second (home run) and the next batter, a broken bat. That’s what you’re looking for. He did a great job of that.”

It’s still in the early days of the second half, with Williamsport an even 2-2 heading into Thursday night’s series finale vs. Trenton. While pitching will come more in the spotlight as the second half wears on, the early signs say the Gamelin is prepared to embrace it.