After a scoreless first two innings headlined by stellar pitching, it would be Trenton breaking the deadlock in the top of the third starting with a leadoff single from No. 9 hitter Rowan Masse. A flyout and fielder’s choice would move Masse to third with two outs, bringing up Mike Whooley.

Coming in with a .393 average, the three-hole hitter would live up to his reputation, knocking a single to left that opened the scoring for the visitors.

It wouldn’t take long for Trenton to add onto their advantage, with back to back extra base hits from Juju Stevens and Jakob Poturnak, coupled with a wild pitch, made it 4-0 Thunder after three.

Williamsport starter Jake Moss, who pitched five scoreless innings in his other start this season, would only go through three on the evening, conceding four runs on six hits while throwing three strikeouts.

Hayden Jatczak (31) and Matthew Bardowell of the Williamsport Crosscutters during the seventh inning against Trenton at Bowman Field. Williamsport won 6-5. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“Every team in this league is dangerous at the plate,” said Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas. “I’ve always said ‘every man with a bat in his hand is dangerous.’ You’ve gotta go out there (as a starter) and control the game, and that’s hard to do in this league.”

Meanwhile Trenton starter Miguel Sime was near impregnable on the night, shaking off a tough line drive back to him in the third to go four innings without allowing a run, conceding just one hit with the radar gun topping his fastball at 100 miles per hour.

The Thunder would add a garnish in the fifth inning with a second RBI of the day from Juju Stevens, this time on a sacrifice fly,that brought home Aaron Whitley to make it 5-0 at the halfway mark.

With hits coming at a premium, Williamsport small ball would break the goose egg in the fifth after a Carlos Castillo hit by pitch and Ryan Kennell walk put two runners on. A Logan Johnstone fielder’s choice would move runners to corners and, after an errant throw by Trenton reliever Clayton Johnson, Castillo would come in to score the Cutter’s first run.

Williamsport continued to put on the pressure, and would load the bases with two outs courtesy of a Boston Smith walk and a Taeg Gollert infield single. Designated hitter Matthew Graveline would continue the carousel, drawing a four pitch walk that made it 5-2 and took Johnson out of the game.

Hayden Jatczak of the Williamsport Crosscutters doubles in the seventh against Trenton at Bowman Field. Williamsport won 6-5. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The damage would be limited by reliever Jarrett Bonet, who drew a Hayden Jatczak groundout that kept the visitors in front.

But Williamsport would show more life an inning later, starting with a Matthew Bardowell walk and Amman Dewberry single that put two on. A Carlos Castillo groundout put the pair in scoring position, with both scoring after a Ryan Kennell groundout and Logan Johnstone RBI single. The pair of runs made it 5-4 Trenton after six.

One inning later, Williamsport would move back in front, with a one out double and hit by pitch from Hayden Jatczak and Matthew Bardowell putting two on base.

Coming into the game, Amman Dewberry had yet to record an RBI or extra base hit on the season. The Georgia native made sure to kill two birds with one stone, slapping a bases clearing triple down the first base line that gave the Cutters a 6-5 advantage.

“I felt good about (Amman) the whole time he’s been here,” said Thomas. “You look at how athletic he is, and you know he’s gonna come through one day. I was so proud of him.”

Carlos Castillo of the Williamsport Crosscutters scores on a wild pitch during the fifth inning against Trenton at Bowman Field. Williamsport won 6-5. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

That result would hold until the final out, with dynamic relieving from Dakota Stone and Brad Rudis (2 S) closing out a dramatic Cutters win.

“(Stone’s) made to be a reliever,” discussed Thomas. “He’s meant to be that guy. And Rudis was already in here telling me ‘coach I’m good for tomorrow.’ It takes a special person, and they are made for that role.”

The win improved Williamsport record to 5-3 record, keeping them at second in the MLB Draft League standings. Williamsport will look to make it a sweep Sunday afternoon, when they host the Thunder in the series finale at 4:05 p.m.

Carlos Castillo of the Williamsport Crosscutters makes the throw to first base during the second inning against Trenton at Bowman Field. Williamsport won 6-5. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette