The top of the order would be the little offense Williamsport needed on the win, with a Maddix Dalena RBI single and Kyle Schupmann home run separating the two sides in the second half of the game.

“(Schupmann) is a tough cookie,” said Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas. “Man, did he blast that ball (in the seventh) too. I’ve said it before, you look at him and you don’t realize how athletic he is; and he is very,very athletic. We needed that right then, that is for sure.”

Williamsport bats would replicate Tuesday’s early burst in the bottom of the first inning, loading the bases on back-to-back walks from Kyle Schupmann and Maddix Dalena and a Jack Cannon fielding error that put Brodey Acres on first.

But Mahoning Valley starter Ethan Stade would step up after a mound visit, forcing a Ben Tryon strikeout before a six-four-three double play abruptly ended the frame scoreless.

Will Bartkoski and catcher Nate McHugh of the Crosscutters celebrate their 2-1 win over Mahoning Valley at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Slade would end up shutting down the Cutters as the Scrapper opener, allowing no runs across three hits with four strikeouts.

Instead, it would be the Scrappers that would draw first blood in the top of the third inning, led by back-to-back bottom of the order singles from Tristan Strickland and Josue Malave. Back to the top of the order, Jarren Purify would give Mahoning Valley its first lead of the series on a rocket single back up the middle to bring in Strickland for the opening run.

Walsh would get out of the jam before being relieved by Williamsport, going three innings allowing one run on four hits with no walks and four strikeouts.

It would take until the fifth inning for the Crosscutters to break the goose egg, with a Kyle Schupmann walk and passed ball getting the tying run in scoring position. Maddix Dalena would require no introduction an at-bat later, slapping a single to left field that brought Schupmann in and level the score.

After a scoreless sixth, the Crosscutters would get their first lead of the game in the seventh. With Williamsport without a dinger at home this season, leadoff man Kyle Schupmann would put that stat to bed with a 356-foot shot into the left field bullpen. Schupmann’s blast was his first home run of the year and fifth in of the calendar season including his college appearances.

Starting pitcher Alex Walsh of the Crosscutters throws in the first inning against Mahoning Valley at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The dinger would prove to be the game winner, with Williamsport side arm slinger Will Bartkoski pitching four perfect innings in relief en route to a crucial series victory.

“There was no question in the ninth that we were gonna send him back out there,” echoed Thomas. “We had guys ready to go in the bullpen, but he just gets better as he goes. What a game.”

The win moves Williamsport to 8-5 on the season, good for second place in the MLB Draft League as the first half season quickly approaches the halfway mark. The Cutters will look for their second straight series sweep Thursday, where they host the Scrappers in the final game of a three-match set. First pitch at Bowman Field is set for 6:35 p.m.

Kyle Schupmann of the Crosscutters slides safely across home against Mahoning Valley of at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Kyle Schupmann of the Crosscutters circles the bases on a home run against Mahoning Valley of at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Jack Messmore of Mahoning Valley makes a diving catch on a ball hit by Chance Jennings of the Crosscutters for an out at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Kyle Schupmann of the Crosscutters circles the bases on a home run against Mahoning Valley of at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Will Bartkoski of the Crosscutters throws to Mahoning Valley in the 9th inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Kyle Schupmann of the Crosscutters circles the bases on a home run against Mahoning Valley of at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

KJ White and Brody Acres of the Crosscutters collide as they both race after a ball hit by James Whitman of Mahoning Valley at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Ben Tryon and first base coach Dallis Moran of the Crosscutters pump fists after Tryon singles against Mahoning Valley at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Kelly Robertson of the Crosscutters makes a running catch on a fly ball hit by Ethan Lindor of Mahoning Valley during the third inning at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette