After trailing 4-3 at the halfway mark, a fireworks worthy five-run sixth inning set the platform for another comeback win for Williamsport.

“We had a meeting today talking about protecting the baseball,” said Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas. “Not giving up runs and making outs, outs, and how important the bullpen is. They did a great job tonight.”

Mahoning Valley were coming off of a series against the Frederick Keys in which they scored 23 runs in three games, and would continue their excellent offensive start in the first starting with a two out hit by pitch to Chase Nixon. Nixon would swipe second on a bang bang play, before scoring on an RBI single by cleanup hitter Carson Hornung, who netted his eighth RBI of the season.

But Williamsport leadoff batter Vantrel Reed would have something to say in the bottom of the first, smacking the second pitch of the at bat 352 feet over the left field wall for a solo shot home run. It was the Vicksburg native’s first home run of the season for the Cutters.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette The Williamsport Crosscutters make a play against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Saturday at Bowman Field.

Williamsport would build the Reed home run into a lead, with a pair of singles from Jackson Mayo and Marcus Brodil putting runners at the corners. With one out and the infield staying back, Joey Parliment would sacrifice a run for an out on a grounder to short.

Mahoning Valley would move the seesaw back a half innings later, beginning with a leadoff single from Seung-Jun Cha. The South Korean would go corner to corner on one pitch, stealing second with an errant throw by catcher TJ Rachbaumer allowing Cha to move to third. A strikeout and Keegan Rodin hit by pitch later, and Mahoning would tie the game with Ian Francis, making his Scrappers debut, slapped a single to right field.

Mahoning would promptly take the lead in the next inning, beginning with a one-out walk to Tommy Rover. Fresh off of scoring the game tying run, Seung-Jun Cha would strike again, launching a high flyer into the left field bullpen. The South Korean’s first home run as a Scrapper gave the visitors a 4-2 lead.

Cutters starter Brad Rudis would finish off the third before being relieved. Rotating from the bullpen to a starting role, the right hander would concede four runs on four hits and two walks while throwing four strikeouts.

After a scoreless fourth, Williamsport would cut the lead to one in the fifth inning, when TJ Racherbaumer and Rayth Paterson made it to three corners on a walk and a single. Up to the plate again came Vantrel Reed, who would bring Racherbaumer home on a one out single, his second run batted in on the night.

Rayth Petersen of the Williamsport Crosscutters celebrates his sixth inning home run against Mahoning Valley at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Mahoning Valley starter Trent Harris would get through the fifth inning before being relieved, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while throwing two strikeouts.

Making his debut for Mahoning Valley, Brandon Arnold would have an evening to forget, starting with walks to Marcus Brodil and Joey Parliment. Marquis Jackson would then get hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Jeremy Rodrigues.

The power hitter would only need to be a cross guard when a wild pitch brought in Brodil to tie the game. Rodrigues would then get hit by a pitch, loading the bases up once again with nobody out. Th

After a TJ Racherbaumer strikeout, Rayth Peterson would come to the plate. He would watch the Cutters take the lead when another wild pitch sent home Paliment.

Now with a lead, he would make sure his third hit was worth remembering, striking a ball to deep left that sailed over the wall for a three run blast. Peterson’s first home run of the season gave Williamsport an 8-4 lead.

Joey Parliment of the Williamsport Crosscutters scores in the sixth inning against the Scrappers at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“I’ve been seeing the ball very well,” said Peterson. “I wanted to work on my timing and being on time for the fastball today… I knew that guy was a little bit erratic going into the at-bat, and I was just looking for something over the plate… he gave me a good pitch down the middle and I just turned on it.”

Peterson was a revelation for Williamsport, who finished 3 for 4 with a stolen base and the three-run homer that clinched the game for the Cutters.

After struggling in the opening series against Trenton, the Cutters bullpen was crucial in the victory, with Sam Swygert, Isaac Fix, and Holland Townes going six innings without allowing a run, with nine combined strikeouts coming out of the bull pen.

It was doubly satisfying for Fix and Townes, who both had an earned run average north of 15 prior to the evening.

“I knew they were better than what they were a couple nights ago,” echoed Thomas. “That’s one thing that (pitching coach) Jesse Estrada has talked to them about, not doing more then your body is capable of doing, and that is what they did tonight.”

Vantrel Reed of the Williamsport Crosscutters tags out Hayden Moore of the Scrappers during the fourth inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The win moves Williamsport to 2-2 on the second half campaign, with a 14-20 record on the season. The Cutters will look for their first series win of the second half Sunday afternoon, when they host the Scrappers at Bowman Field.

Vantrel Reed (2) of the Williamsport Crosscutters celebrates with Carlos Castillo after Reed’s first inning solo home run against the Scrappers at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Vantrel Reed (2) of the Williamsport Crosscutters rounds the bases on his first inning solo home run against the Scrappers at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Vantrel Reed (2) of the Williamsport Crosscutters watches his first inning solo home run against the Scrappers at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Brad Rudis of the Williamsport Crosscutters throws to the Scrappers in the first inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Rayth Petersen of the Williamsport Crosscutters gets the force out at second base of Ian Francis during the fourth inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette