Despite a tied game through four and a half innings, the Cutters always seemed in control, out-hitting the Ironbirds, 17-2, while a 3-1 error and 10-0 walk difference against the Ironbirds provided a soft landing for another Crosscutter win

“Our guys played so aggressive and hard,” said Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas. “That’s what we’ve been preaching the whole season. No matter what, let’s play hard. Every pitch, no matter what the score is.”

The Crosscutters would get the raucous 2,231 attending crowd going in the bottom of the second inning, with a Ben Tryon leadoff double causing early trouble for Aberdeen starter Jordan Garza. A wild pitch would advance the cleanup batter to 90 feet for Addison Smith, who’s full-count walk threw runners at the corners. The Cutters would get the opening run on the board a pitch later, with Smith getting caught stealing going to second allowing Tryon to score uncontested.

After three perfect innings that saw seven strikeouts thrown, Williamsport starter Brett Antolick would have a dent in his appearance after a leadoff Chase Williams single, The top of the order hitter would advance to third on a stolen base and wild pitch for Owen Clyne, who would become the second Ironbird hitter to reach 10 runs batted on this season when he knocked a single to left field to tie the game at one.

Brody Acres of the Crosscutters runs to third base on a triple in the 7th inning of Aberdeen at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Antolick would finish out the fourth inning before being relieved, conceding one run on two hits with no walks and eight strikeouts.

But Williamsport would find a response an inning later, starting with a Slaide Burd triple and Kyle Schupmann walk that put runners at the corners. Two batters later, the Cutters would retake the lead when a Brodey Acres grounder led to a fielding error from shortstop JT Taylor. Schupmann would manage to score in the process to make it 2-1 Williamsport.

Controversy and a near ejection would ensue in the next-bat.

With runners on second and first, Ben Tryon would cork a sharp single up the middle to bring in Schupmann. In the process of fielding the ball, centerfielder Josh Skowronski would have it deflect off his chest, giving an avenue for Acres to score from first. The centerfielder would make amends however, launching the ball back to home in time for catcher Dalton Bargo to field and tag out Acres. During the process of the tag, however, the ball would escape the glove of Aberdeen’s catcher, with everyone in the ballpark assuming two runs would score instead of one. Home plate umpire Cody Cogan would have other ideas, declaring Acres out which led to a chorus of boos and an apoplectic Kenny Thomas to go face to face with Cogan.

After a Nate McHugh single, Addison Smith would ground out to end the fifth inning on a 3-1 scoreline. Aberdeen starter Jordan Garza would be relieved after McHugh’s single, going four and two thirds of an inning allowing three runs on eight hits with four walks and four strikeouts.

The Crosscutters celebrate their 17-1 win over Aberdeen at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Williamsport would add to their advantage in the sixth inning, with an Owen Prince single and Slaide Burd Fielder’s Choice and throwing error placing the high schooler in scoring position. Kyle Schupmann would come to bat next. With Williamsport’s start at the plate, he would show why, launching a single to right field that scored Burd and made it 4-1 Cutters.

Williamsport would continue their rally into the seventh, getting three runs across the board from RBI singles out of Ben Tryon, Nick Barone, and Owen Prince.

The Crosscutters would secure the game in style, pummeling on a 10-run eighth inning that featured

Just three hits, six walks, two pitching changes and a very long bus ride back to Aberdeen’s hotel.

The culmination of the rally would come with Ben Tryon. Having already walked and scored and scored on the night, the Texas native would put the game to rest on a 387-foot grand slam past the right field wall.

Ben Tryon of the Crosscutters leaves home plate as he watches his grand slam in the 8th inning against Aberdeen at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“There is no such thing as a perfect game,” echoed Thomas. “But there is such a thing as a game where the team plays extremely hard, and that is what they did tonight. They pitched well, I thought we held the running game down, and we had some timely hits there.”

The win moved Williamsport to 14-6 on the first half season, further extending their second-place lead in the MLB Draft League standings. With the Cutters poised for a pennant run, Williamsport will look for another series win Saturday night, when Williamsport hosts Aberdeen in game two of a three-game set.

Ben Tryon of the Crosscutters fields a ball hit by Nelson Zapata of Aberdeen and throws him out at first base in the 7th inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Brett Antolick of the Crosscutters throws in the second inning against Aberdeen at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Maddix Dalena of the Crosscutters doubles in the first inning against Aberdeen at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Brody Acres of the Crosscutters touches home plate as the catcher from Aberdeen tags him on this close play at home plate during the 5th inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Crosscutters usher and Lycoming College Football player Tom Cillo signs high bobblehead during the second inning of the game against Aberdeen at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette