“We’ve gone to (Moran) a lot, and he loves that (closer) role,” said Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas. “I called down there to tell him to get up and he was already up. He was already throwing. I didn’t have to tell him anything. He’s just a battler, you know?”

State College would look to replicate Williamsport’s fast start the previous night, quickly putting the first two batters of the game in scoring position on an Andrew Wiggins single and a Trent Turner double. The Spikes would break the deadlock with the next batter, when a Mac Rose infield single brought in two runs after an errant throw careened off the Williamsport dugout.

But the Crosscutters would get their get-back an inning later, loading the bases with no outs on singles from Ben Tryon and Chris Stanfield with an Addison Smith walk to complete the juice. Two batters later, all three would come to score when Chance Jennings scorched an opposite field double down the left field line to give the Cutters a 3-2 advantage.

After a clean second, Williamsport starter David Horn Jr. would run into trouble an inning later, loading the bases with two outs on an Andrew Wiggins single with walks to Trent Turner, a Mac Rose fielder’s choice, and a CJ Richmond walk. The latter walk would be the end for Horn, with the starter giving up a season high four runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Mac Rose of State College dives safely back to first as Maddix Dalena of the Crosscutters tries to make the first inning play of at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The latter two runs on Horn’s receipt would come in with Colton Kennedy on the hill. With the bases juiced, the right hander would concede back to back walks to Kolt Meyers and Jacob Croxford allowing the visitors to retake the lead 4-3.

In the bottom of the fourth, scouts’ radar guns were turned on and back, beginning leaning towards the diamond when it was announced that State College reliever Connor Griffin was making his way to the mound for a relief appearance. The No. 220 projected pick according to Perfect Game for the upcoming draft, Griffin would make his first and only Draft League appearance on the night before the draft in July.

The highly touted prospect would run into trouble, loading the bases with two outs before a Kyle Schupmann flyout spared blushes and kept State College in front.

But Griffin would not get away scot-free an inning later, putting the first three runners on with a Maddix Dalena walk, Brodey Acres single, and Ben Tryon hit by pitch. Chris Stanfield would only need his eye to tie the game, drawing a walk to bring in Dalena for the tying run. The Cutters would retake the lead two batters later when an Amari Allen soft ground out prompted Acres home for a 5-4 Williamsport lead.

State College would tie it back up in the sixth inning. Following walks to Jacob Croxford and Luke Nomura, a wild pitch from reliever Cooper Dossett would put the pair in scoring position with two outs. Dossett looked to have escaped the jam when he fielded a ground ball from Trent Turner back to him, only for the throw to grad first baseman Maddix Dalena off the bag scoring Croxford and tying the game once more.

David Horn of the Crosscutters throws in the first inning against State College at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

As what would become the theme of the night, another lead change would occur in the bottom of the frame starting with a one out Kyle Schupmann walk. A stolen base would put the go ahead run in scoring position for Brodey Acres, who extended his hitting streak in clutch fashion on a single to right field that brought in Schupmann to make it 6-5 Cutters.

That Acres knock would prove to be the game winner, as the reliever duo of Jacob Limas and Dallis Moran closed out the game for a memorable Crosscutter win.

“I’ve said it for the last couple of weeks, these guys fight hard,” echoed Thomas. “Sometimes you have to win ugly, and that was kind of ugly tonight, but they just kept battling and fighting.”

The win improves Williamsport to 13-6 on the season, inching closer to the Trenton Thunder for first place in the MLB Draft League standings. The Cutters will look for the sweep on Thursday, with Williamsport hosting the Spikes in the final match of the three game set.

Chance Jennings of the Crosscutters steals third base during the second inning against the Spikes at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Brody Acres of the Crosscutters catches a ball hit by Mac Rose of State College during the 4th inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Kyle Schupmann of the Crosscutters throws out Jacob Croxford of State College in 7th inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The Crosscutters celebrate their 6-5 win over State College of at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Brody Acres of the Crosscutters runs to first on an RBI single in the 6th (the winning run) against State College at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette