In a game that saw three different lead changes, the Thunder’s two run sixth and five-run seventh inning proved the knockout blow on a rainy evening in Williamsport.

“Bullpen’s win this league,” said Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas. “And the bullpen wasn’t very good. We are not familiar with them yet, so we can’t expect perfection, because we don’t know. Obviously, it wasn’t very good.”

After a scoreless first two innings, the Trenton Thunder would scrap the opening run of the game in the third starting with a leadoff single from Justin Rubin. Rubin’s single, which was the first baserunner of the game for Trenton, would be followed by singles from Jaden Sheffield and Jackson Tucker to load the bases.

Connor Maryniak came to the plate next and provided the opening run off of a hit by pitch to score Rubin and open the scoring for the visitors.

Colton Cosper of the Williamsport Crosscutters throws during the first inning against the Thunder at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

That would be the only run that Williamsport starter Colton Cospar would allow in his debut for the Cutters, with the lefty going five innings allowing four hits and no walks with eight strikeouts to go along with an exceptional debut.

The Cutters would get there get back an inning later, starting with a one out walk to Jeremy Rodrigues. Joey Parliament would come to the plate two batters later and, with two outs and stormclouds brewing, give the Cutters the lead on a high flyer off the left-center field scoreboard. Parliament’s first home run of the season gave Williamsport a 2-1 lead.

But Williamsport’s bullpen would relinquish the lead in the sixth inning. Maryniak would do it all himself to start the frame, hitting a flyball to left field right at the scoreboard for a solo shot home run that tied the game.

The Thunder would continue to strike in the inning, with back to back singles from former Cutter John Schroeder and Cameron Yuran putting runners at the corners. Schroeder would represent the go-ahead run on a sacrifice flyout by Jaden Collura.

The game would truly get away from Williamsport in the seventh inning with the Cutters conceding five runs on five hits in a frame that saw 10 different Trenton batters come to the plate.

Manager Kenny Thomas of the Williamsport Crosscutters argues a home run call by home plate umpire Cody Cogan during the sixth inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Williamsport would show life in the ninth inning, and trim the lead to five after a Joey Parliament reach-on-error and TJ Racherbaumer walk set up Carlos Castillo, who provided consolation on an RBI double that scored the former. But Trenton would record three straight outs after Castillo’s double, solidifying a win for the road side.

The game featured many new names for Williamsport, with debuts at the plate for Ventrel Reed, Rayth Peterson, Jeremy Rodrigues, and TJ Racherbaumer in addition to 2024 Cutter Max Mandler, who made his first appearance of the season to open the second half. Of those who debuted, Reed and Peterson both reached base with singles in the first, while Rodrigues walked twice and Rachhenbaumer recorded a ninth inning walk.

The mound debuts were not as pleasant with Isaac Fix and Holland Townes conceding seven of the eight total runs allowed. In addition, with three of Williamsport’s four outfielders not in Williamsport, infielders Carlos Castillo and Vantrel Reed were forced to play outfield in the game. The pair would not record an out in the game, with Trenton conceding just one flyout to right field.

“Zero extra players,” echoed Thomas. “Two primary infielders in the outfield … it feels like we have been playing underhanded for a very, very long time now. When (Trenton) made four substitutes I’m thinking ‘Are you kidding me?'”

The loss drops Williamsport to 0-1 in the second half season and 12-19 overall. The defeat also marked 12 losses in a row for Williamsport, who now doubled their previous record of six losses in a row in the MLB Draft League era.

Michael Zarrillo of the Williamsport Crosscutters throws his glove at a ball thrown from the outfield as John Schroeder of the Thunder slides in to third base safely during the sixth inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The Cutters will look for redemption Thursday night, when they host the Thunder in game two of a three-game series at Bowman Field.

“Maybe tomorrow I wouldn’t have as many handcuffs on me,” concluded Thomas. “That would make me feel better.”

TJ Racherbaumer of the Williamsport Crosscutters dives safely back to first as Jared Beebe of the Thunder tries to make the play during the second inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Catcher TJ Racherbaumer of the Williamsport Crosscutters tries the make the play as John Schroeder of the Thunder slides across home during the sixth inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Vantrel Reed of the Williamsport Crosscutters celebrates getting a single in the first inning against the Thunder at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Joey Parliament of the Williamsport Crosscutters throws out John Schroeder of the Thunder during the top of the first at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Vantrel Reed of the Williamsport Crosscutters singles in his first time at bat as a Cutter against during the game against the Thunder at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The Williamsport Crosscutters compete against the Trenton Thunder at Bowman Field on Wednesday. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette