In Game One of the MLB Draft League International Series, it was versatile base running and a stellar shift from the bullpen that secured Williamsport’s third win in the last four games.

“They pitched pretty well and had five guys in there,” said Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas. “Runs were hard to get… you’ve got to realize in situations what to do at the plate… and I thought we did a great job at that.”

A ballclub-wide plus to start the season, pitching control would prove an early issue for Crosscutter starter Enger Paulino. Making his first start at Bowman Field, Paulino would allow three free bases to start the game, walks to Emiliano Ibarra and Ichiro Rodriguez along with an Abraham Favela hit-by-pitch to load the bases.

Despite gathered control, all three would eventually come across to score from a Juan Tinoco sacrifice fly anda two-run David Mosqueda single.

Young Cadejos cheer as their team plays Mexico at Bowman Field. Los Cadejos won 5-3. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“I jumped on him pretty hard,” admitted Thomas when discussing a first-inning mound meeting. “I went out there and jumped his tail pretty hard. I usually don’t do that, but I thought ‘Good gracious, I got to shake his mind or something.'”

While one cornerstone struggled, another would prosper in terms of excelling on the base paths in the second inning. Ben Tryon would get it started with a leadoff double, with the leadoff man swiping second after a Brodey Acreswalk put men on the corners.

From there, an Acres attempted steal prompted an errant throw from Mexico catcher Luis Amador. The error brought in Tryon to put Williamsport on the board.

That would be the only blemish on Mexico starter Oscar Cuello’s resume, with the Tamaulipas native going two innings with one unearned run, two hits and two strikeouts.

Paulino would manage to recover after the first inning, putting 0’s on the board in innings two and three tofinish with three innings pitched, three runs, two hits, and two walks with three strikeouts thrown.

Enger Paulino of the Cadejos throws in the first inning against Mexico at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Williamsport would cut the lead to one against new reliever Jose Montijo. Chris Stanfield would be the party that cut it to one, slapping a sacrifice flyout that scored Slaide Burd to make it 3-2.

More base-stealing exploits from the Cutters would tie the game in the fifth, starting with a Chris Stanfield one-out walk. The speedy outfielder would swipe two bases on one pitch, getting to second on a stolen base with another errant throw placing the tying run 90 feet away. It would be Ben Tryon that would play hero on this occasion, flying out to right field and allowing Stanfield to score and the game to be tied.

One inning later, Williamsport’s comeback would be complete courtesy of a two-out rally. Pinch hitter Nate McHue would create a spark on a walk, with a Slaide Burd hit by pitch putting two runners on for the top of the order. At the top, Kyle Schupmann wouldn’t disappoint, lacing a single to center field to bring McHue in and flip the lead for the first time.

Continuing the theme of the night, the Crosscutters secured an insurance run in the seventh on another sacrifice fly. This time, it would be Brodey Acres holding the door, flying out to deep center to score Stanfield. It would be Stanfield’s second time on the night scoring on a flyout.

The insurance was enjoyed but not required, as the bullpen duo of Jacksoon Nash and Dallis Moran blanked Mexico across six innings to secure a 5-3 win.

Brodey Acres of the Cadejos celebrates with KJ White (12) after Acres made an inning ending play against Mexico in the 5th inning at Bowman Field. Los Cadejos won 5-3. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“They obviously did a great job,” echoed Thomas. “Nash came in there and gave us four good innings, andreally dominated the game, kept it under control. I changed my mind (with Moran) in the seventh. I had planned on going with someone else. I thought that Moran would shut it down and we’d save a guy for tomorrow because Moranis that kind of end of game guy.”

The contest was game one of three in a series against the Mexicans, with the opponent roster composed of reserve and minor league athletes from the Mexican Baseball League. In honor of hosting an international team for the first time at Bowman, the Cutters rebranded as Los Cadejos, a name they will keep throughout the weekend series.

With the game’s score and stats counting for the season, the win moves Williamsport to 4-5 on the season, as they inch their way closer to the top half of the MLB Draft League standings. Williamsport will look for their second straight series win Saturday night, with “Los Cadejos” facing Mexico at 6:35 p.m. at Bowman Field.

Third baseman Kyle Schupmann of the Cadejos tries to tag out Ichiro Rodriguez of Mexico at Bowman Field. Rodriguez was safe on the play. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Chris Stanfield of the Cadejos scores in the 5th inning against Mexico at Bowman Field. Los Cadejos won 5-3. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

KJ White of the Cadejos tries to tag out David Mosqueda of Mexico at Bowman Field. Los Cadejos won 5-3. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Slaide Burd of the Cadejos rounds first base and runs into first base umpire Jason Storlie on a double against Mexico at Bowman Field. Los Cadejos won 5-3. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Slaide Burd of the Cadejos rounds first base on a double against Mexico at Bowman Field. Los Cadejos won 5-3. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Slaide Burd of the Cadejos dives safely back to first as Abraham Favela of Mexico tries to make the play during the third inning at Bowman Field. Los Cadejos won 5-3. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Maddix Dalena of the Cadejos singles in the first inning against Mexico at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette