The top half of the order shone for the Cutters on the night with leadoff man Vantrel Reed representing two runs and Jackson Mayo and Marcus Bodil, both making their Cutters debut, each scored in the dramatic victory.

“That’s the kind of game you are going to be in so many times in this league,” said Williamsport Crosscutters manager Kenny Thomas. “You have to be good out of the bullpen, and they did a great job.”

Williamsport’s inability to hold runners on base held true in the first inning with Jackson Tucker and John Schroeder both reaching and stealing to put the pair in scoring position. The duo would both eventually score from a Connor Maryniak groundout and CJ Willis single.

In the first inning alone, the battery of starting pitcher Tyler Valdez and catcher Christian Reyes allowed three stolen bases. In the game, Trenton would swipe nine total bags.

Christian Reyes of the Williamsport Crosscutters spikes the ball as he celebrates the Cutters 4-3 win over Trenton at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Valdez would recover well after a slippery first inning, leaving four runners on base for the rest of his outing which spanned four innings. The right hander, who was part of Williamsport’s title winning campaign in 2024, conceded four hits and a walk while throwing four strikeouts across four innings.

After four clean innings, Luis Misla would run out of gas in the fifth, allowing three straight singles from Vantrel Reed, Jackson Mayo, and Marcus Brodil that loaded the bases and knocked Misla out of the game.

Reliever Dosie Drakeford would make his debut on the mound against Mochael Zarillo. With the crowd ready to explode, Zarillo would light the match when a line drive stayed fair down the right field line. All three runners would score, netting a three run double for the Lafayette College graduate.

Trenton would use base running to tie the game once again, starting with a leadoff Andres Vega walk. Tyler Collins would come to the plate next, and advance to first from a fielder’s choice that got Vega out at second.

Collins would swipe second, followed by an advance to third on an infield single by Jackson Tucker. Collins would only need to trot home an at bat later, with John Schroeder getting the tying run in on a long flyout that made it 3-3 at the stretch.

Christian Reyes and Jed Boyle of the Williamsport Crosscutters celebrate the Cutters 4-3 win over Trenton at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

But Williamsport’s top of the order would have something to say in the bottom half with Vantrel Reed ripping a double to the left field warning track.

The pragmatic Reed would take second on a wild pitch, with the Mississippi native presenting the go-ahead run on an RBI single from Jackson Mayo.

“I was just trying to put something on the ball in play since the infield was in, so I was trying to help the team win in any way I can.” Mayo said after the game.

“He was huge,” echoed Thomas. “Him and Marcus Brodil just got here last night, so I stuck them in there today.”

That lead took them to the ninth inning, with Jed Boyle attempting his first save of the second half. Things would complicate quickly with Andres Vega slapping a single and stealing second to put a runner in scoring position.

The Williamsport Crosscutters celebrates the Cutters 4-3 win over Trenton at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

In what looked like a rite of passage, Christian Reyes would throw out Vega attempting to steal third, the first time in nine stolen base attempts that Trenton would get caught stealing.

Deja vu would occur at the plate with Jackson Tucker similarly reaching on a walk followed by a two out stolen base. But Boyle would take matters in his own hands, striking out John Schroeder on the payoff for a Cutters win. Catcher Christian Reyes would spike the ball on the umpire’s call, symbolizing 13 games of frustration in one scene.

The victory moved Williamsport to 1-1 on the second half campaign and 13-19 overall. Williamsport will look for the series win Friday night with the Cutters hosting Trenton in the rubber match.

Jed Boyle of the Williamsport Crosscutters celebrates the Cutters 4-3 win over Trenton at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The Williamsport Crosscutters celebrates the Cutters 4-3 win over Trenton at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

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

Joey Parliment of the Williamsport Crosscutters fields a ball hit by Jackson Tucker of the Thunder during the first inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette