Williamsport was pitching, and with the designated runner at first base, batter Sueng-Jun Cha grounded to short for a potential double play ball. Shortstop Carlos Castillo received the grounder and flipped it to second baseman Vantrel Reed for one out, but when Reed looked to complete the double play, he sailed it wide off of the Williamsport dugout.

Cha, known for his speed, quickly sprinted to second with the ball out of reach. But then, out of nowhere, a Crosscutter on his debut, would make a play potentially the play of the season.

Covering first, Williamsport’s Safea Villaruz-Mauai stormed towards the dugout, received the ball, and threw what looked liked an elite level fastball over 110 feet on the money to the second base bag. The result was a 6-4-3-6 double play, and exasperated Cha who looked more confused then angry of the call, and a created catalyst for Williamsport’s third straight win.

“It was like a quarterback,” said Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas. “Perfect throw. It was crazy. That is the weirdest double play you will ever see. … I don’t know how he ever got that bomb through at second but he did.”

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette The Williamsport Crosscutters’ Safea Villaruz-Mauai takes some swings during batting practice at Bowman Field on Tuesday.

The play put the cherry on top of a dream debut for Vallruz-Mauai. In addition to his web gem, the Hawaiian would go two for four at the plate with a walk and a run batted in.

But last night was just a cliff notes version of Safea’s career production, with the first basemen always playing the role of a stalwart wherever he plays.

And he has, in fact, played that role with many different programs. A native of Hilo, located on the eastern shore of Hawaii’s main island, Villaruz-Mauai’s three collegiate seasons were spent with three different programs. Starting with, appropriately, the University of Hawaii, Villaruz-Mauai would make 28 appearances with the Rainbow Warriors, batting .299 with a .776 OPS. From there, the Hawaiian would move inland to BYU, where he would bat .217 in 23 games.

After redshirting in 2024, Mauai spent his last college season with NCAA division two’s Chaminade. Back in his home state, Villaruz-Mauai had a breakout 2025 with the Silverswords, making All-Pacific West honors while being named the team’s most outstanding player. He earned those accolades with a career best .323 average across 48 games, with an eye opening 11 home runs contributing to a 1.010 OPS, both ranking in the top 15 in the conference.

“He’ll bring us some added offense,” said Thomas. “He’s also very good from what I’ve seen so far around the bag. So that really helps us a lot. We’ve had to play (Michael) Zarillo over there almost every night. Sunday we played (Max) Mandler over there at first. Both of them did a great job… (but) this guy is a true first baseman. Hopefully he adds some offense in the middle of our order.”

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette The Williamsport Crosscutters’ Safea Villaruz-Mauai takes some swings during batting practice at Bowman Field on Tuesday.

In addition to his prowess at the plate, Villaruz-Mauai’s 99% fielding percentage is expected to be a huge positive to Williamsport’s ballclub.

“I said the other night when we were talking about getting him,” added Thomas. “One of the things that was important to me was to get a guy over there that can handle the glove and handle first base. That is such a key at this level, being able to play defense and first base.”

The Hawaiian continues to be plugged into big spots in Williamsport’s lineup, with Villaruz-Mauai batting cleanup and playing first for the second straight time Wednesday night. A towering figure that’s listed at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Villaruz-Mauai has managed to pass the eye test in appearance and in skill with the Cutters early on.