That is the trek that Williamsport outfielders Jackson Mayo and Marcus Brodil took to play for the Crosscutters this season. Both natives of Florida, the duo actually missed Wednesday night’s opener due to them not being able to make it to Williamsport until later that night.

Unbeknownst to them, both would become a key part in breaking the largest losing streak in the history of the franchise.

On Thursday, with the pair batting second and third in the order, both names were called upon to make the difference in a back and forth affair.

It’s the bottom of the fifth, and Williamsport are staring down the barrel of a 13th straight defeat with a 2-0 deficit and only one hit up until that point. With a runner on first and one out, both Mayo and Brodil would step up in a massive way, slapping singles to load the bases. All three runners would eventually score, courtesy of a bases clearing double from Michael Zarillo to make it 3-2.

Marcus Brodil of the Williamsport Crosscutters works on his bunting skills during batting practice at Journey Bank Ballpark. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Added drama befell Bowman Field in the bottom of the seventh, with a conceded run in the top of the frame tying the game. With one out, a Vantrel Reed double put the go-ahead run in scoring position for Jackson Mayo. Less than 24 hours removed from reaching Williamsport, he would set the crowd alight with an RBI single that proved to be the winning run in a 4-3 contest.

The win was the first of the second half for Williamsport, snapped a 12 game losing streak dating back to the first day of the month, and set a platform for Williamsport as a competitive ballclub in the second half.

All in a day’s work for two outfielders that just got into town.

But that is the life for a minor league baseball player. When the phone call comes, you simply go.

For Jackson Mayo, the trip to Williamsport is a reunion. The Dunedin, Florida native played a key role for the Crosscutters last season, playing as a member of the first half team that won the season, clinching a spot in the Draft League Championship that Billtown won in September that year.

In 23 appearances for Williamsport last year, the Floridian batted .276 with a pragmatic 22 runs batted in, averaging just shy of one RBI a game. In addition, Mayo contributed an .877 OPS, with six of his 21 hits going for extra bases including three home runs.

Now, with the MLB Draft come and gone, the reigning first half slugger is back for more.

“I texted coach Thomas and asked if I could come back,” said Mayo. “He welcomed me with open arms, so I’m grateful for that.”

A teammate at South Florida with Mayo, outfielder Marcus Brodil brings a clinical level of production in the three hole for Williamsport. A St. Johns, Florida native, Brodil comes off of a career year with South Florida, batting .330 with 38 runs batted in and three home runs in 56 games played.

In his first appearance with the Cutters, Brodil represented the game tying run in the fifth while going one for three at the plate with an additional walk.

In addition to base hitting, the two are adaptable at stealing bases, an area of the field that the Cutters have been historically poor in. In the last collegiate season, Mayo and Brodil combined for 21 stolen bases. Bringing in leadoff man Vantrel Reed, who stole 22 bases for LSU-Shreveport in 2025, and Williamsport goes from an all time bad stolen base team to one where it can be a plus.

“Speed, speed, and more speed,” said manager Kenny Thomas when discussing the three newcomers. “That is what we needed.

With Williamsport now in the second half, team success becomes the main prerogative for a Cutters squad looking to reach the Draft League Championship and defend their 2024 title.

“Bring back a championship.” Mayo echoed on his goals in his year back. “Go back to back, that’s the only goal right now.”