It was an unproductive evening at the plate for Billtown, who would score a second half season low one run off of four hits while conceding nine strikeouts.

The lack of productivity was thanks in large part to Black Bear starter Jason Bollman who, despite an ERA in the 20’s going into the evening, went the entire way without allowing an earned run, tossing nine strikeouts in an outing he won’t soon forget.

“We fell right into his trap,” said Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas. “He threw the complete game, and we were still swinging at balls in the dirt in the eighth and ninth

inning. He pitched a very good game; very smart.”

Jed Boyle of the Williamsport Crosscutters flexes after coming off the mound during the 8th inning after pitching to West Virginia at Journey Bank Ballpark. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

West Virginia would draw first blood in the top of the second inning, when Williamsport starter Reilly Shafer put three on base with walks to Alex Ungar, Jake Berg, and Will Rogers.

DeMarckus Smiley would break the goose egg first, grounding out to first base that allowed Ungar to score. Jace Rinehart would bring the second and last run of the inning two batters later, slapping an infield single down the third base line that narrowly beat out the throw.

But West Virginia miscues would bring Williamsport to within one in the bottom half, starting with a leadoff Michael Zarillo single. Three batters later, Zarillo would still be on first with

Max Mandler at the plate. A wild pitch, however, sweetened the put for Mandler, who seemed to have wasted the opportunity when he bounced one back to the pitcher Jason Bollman.

But Bollman would fumble the throw, sending it past first baseman Jace Rinehart. The ensuing error brought in Zarillo to make it 2-1 West Virginia.

Rayth Petersen and Vantrel Reed of the Williamsport Crosscutters run off the field after Reed made a play at second base against the Black Bears at Journey Bank Ballpark. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

After working cleanly into the sixth, Shafer would concede late in his outing when a pair of one-out walks to Jake Berg and Will Rogers put two aboard.

Designated hitter DeMarckus Smiley would come up next and find his mark, ripping an RBI double down the left field line to score Berg.

Reliever Holland Townes would strike out the next two batters to leave the remaining runners on base. The result finishes Shafer’s outing allowing three runs, five hits, and five walks on five and a third of an inning pitched that featured three strikeouts.

But West Virginia would get the better of Schaffer in the seventh, when former Cutter Jordan Peyton started the frame with a single. Billtown’s middle infielder in the first half would

take two bases on one pitch, stealing second with an errant throw taking the speedster to third.

Vantrel Reed of the Williamsport Crosscutters tags out DeMarckus Smiley of the Black Bears at second base during the top of the fourth inning at Journey Bank Ballpark. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Peyton would complete the folly two pitches later, coming home on a wild pitch to make it 4-1.

The rally would continue in the frame, beginning with a one out walk to Alex Rodgers after the wild pitch to set up Alex Ungar.

Ungar had been terrorizing Williamsport pitching all evening, and would put the cherry on top when he uncorked a no doubter over the left field fence. The 387 foot long blast put West

Virginia firmly in the driver’s seat.

“[West Virginia] had 10 [in the bullpen,]” echoed Thomas. “I had four… and every time I send out there a second time… most of the time I gotta send another one in to get him out.”

Michael Zarrillo of the Williamsport Crosscutters rounds the bases as he scores during the second inning against West Virginia at Journey Bank Ballpark. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The Black Bears would place the garnish in the top of the ninth inning, snagging two more runs on an Alex Ungar double and a Will Rogers single.

It would prove to be the Alex Ungar show on the night, with the cleanup batter going three for four with a home run, a double, three RBI, two stolen bases, and three runs scored.

As for Williamsport, they would go zero for six with runners in scoring position, their first time in the second half putting up a goose egg in the RISP column.

“I come to this stadium every day ready to play,” said Thomas. “We didn’t perform again two nights in a row. We have not performed at all. We just go through the motions.”

The loss drops Williamsport to 4-4 on the season, placing them back in the middle of the pack in the MLB Draft League standings. The Cutters will look to even up the series Thursday night, with Williamsport hosting West Virginia in game two of the three game set at Bowman Field.