Batting consistency was the key to success for Williamsport, who would score two or more runs in three separate innings on route to a sweep-worthy performance.

“It felt good,” said Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas. “We had some rough times in the first half towards the end, and then we lost that tough ballgame the first night in the second half. It’s been some tough ballgames.”

For the first time in the second half, Williamsport would leave after the first inning, starting with a leadoff Rayth Peterson double. Jackson Mayo and Marcus Brodil would combine to load the bases from a walk and a hit by pitch in subsequent at-bats to set up Joey Parliment.

A favorite of manager Kenny Thomas, Parliament would show why when he blooped a double to left center field that brought in Peterson and Mayo for the opening salvo.

Catcher Chrisitan Reyes and starting pitcher AJ Campbell of the Williamsport Crosscutters talk as they walk off the field after the first inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Mahoning Valley would cut it to one in the next half inning, thanks to a leadoff Caron Hornung double. The five hole hitter would take third on a wild pitch and, in the next at-bat, come in to score from an Ian Francis ground out.

A scary moment would occur in the top of the third inning, when catcher Christian Reyes was hit on the side of the head on a back swing from Tommy Rover. Reyes would immediately be substituted out for TJ Racherbaumer, who would now catch his third straight game and four of the first five of the second half.

After the game, it was reported that Reyes struggled to hear out of his left ear at the time, and was being tested for a concussion.

“He’s a tough guy,” echoed Thomas. “You just about have to tie a rope around him to keep him from saying ‘I’m ready to go on the field tomorrow.’ That’s just the kind of guy he is, you know?”

Williamsport would get back on the board in the third inning, beginning with a Parliment hit by pitch. The third baseman would advance to second on a wild pick off attempt to set up Max Mandler, who would score Parliment on an RBI single.

Rayth Petersen of the Williamsport Crosscutters celebrates after hitting a double in the first inning against Mahoning Valley at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Mandler would come in to score when Carlos Castillo slapped a single down the third base side for a 4-1 advantage.

That lead would diminish just four pitches into the fourth inning, when Seung-Jun Cha came to the plate. The South Korean’s torching start to the second half would continue, when he ripped a no-doubter over the right field wall for a solo shot. Cha’s home run was his second of the season.

For Williamsport, Parliament would become the catalyst for another run in the fourth, with the Tennessean getting on base with the bases loaded on a Rayth Petersen walk, Jackson Mayo double, and Marcus Brodil walk. Parliament would move the carousal once again, flying out to deep right field to score Petersen and make it 5-2.

“He’s what I call a ballplayer,” said Thomas. “Not the greatest talent, not the greatest body, but the guy just plays. He has to be on the field to be successful. He’s been clutch, we’ve been depending on him.”

Continuing the theme, Mahoning Valley would get another run back in the top of the fifth. Dreylin Holmes would reach base first on a single, with the speedster taking second on a stolen base. Holmes would score two batters later when Patrick Roche reached base on a single.

Rayth Petersen of the Williamsport Crosscutters doubles in the first inning against Mahoning Valley at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Williamsport starter would escape the fifth inning before being relieved. The Absecon, New Jersey native would go five innings allowing three runs on seven hits without allowing a walk.

Mahoning Valley starter Nolan Coil would take his leave after five innings as well, with the right hander conceding five runs in five innings with eight hits, three walks, and three strikeouts.

Mahoning Valley would capitalize on the pitching change in the sixth, sparking a two out rally against Jed Boyle from back to back Ian Francis and Hayden Moore singles. With runners at the corners, the pair would execute a double steal that saw Moore go to second and Francis come in to score to make it a one run game.

But Williamsport would fire back with a three piece in the bottom of the sixth, starting with a leadoff Vantrel Reed single. Reed would score in the next at-bat. When Rayth Petersen uncorked a double that brought Reed in from first. Mayo would play the drive in next, ripping a single to right field to score Petersen. Mayo would subsequently steal second and move to third on a Marcus Brodil single. Joey Parliment would sacrifice a run for two outs, grounding into a double play to complete the sixth inning rally.

Mahoning would snag another consolation in the eighth inning, when a Carson Hornung single brought home Matt Rivera, who reached on a leadoff double. Another consolation came in the ninth, with a sacrifice fly scoring Patrick Roche.

Jackson Mayo of the Williamsport Crosscutters celebrates with team mates after scoring in the second inning against Mahoning Valley at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

But closing pitcher Ryan Ure would hold the visitors from there, forcing back to back groundouts to secure an electric Cutters win.

Jumping from ninth to second in the lineup, Cutters shortstop Rayth Petersen had a career day at the plate, finishing three for four with two doubles, three runs scored, and a run batted in. Petersen was part of a Cutters top three that finished a combined 7-13 on the night with six runs scored.

The victory moved Williamsport to 3-2 on the second half campaign, keeping their mark in the top half of the second half standings.

Vantrel Reed of the Williamsport Crosscutters singles in the bottom of the second inning against Mahoning Valley at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Rayth Petersen of the Williamsport Crosscutters fields a ball hit by Brock Olmstead of Mahoning Valley during the second inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Carlos Castillo of the Williamsport Crosscutters gets an RBI single in the third inning against the Scrappers at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Carlos Castillo of the Williamsport Crosscutters is safe on a steal during the third inning as Patrick Roche of the Scrappers tries to make the play at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Michael Zarrillo of the Williamsport Crosscutters flips the ball to pitcher Jed Boyle to force out Carson Hornug of the Scrappers during the top of the sixth inning of the at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Dreylin Holmes of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers slides under the tag of Rayth Petersen of the Williamsport Crosscutters at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette The Crosscutters competed against the Scrappers on Sunday at Bowman Field as Williamsport swept Mahoning Valley with a win.