Breaking News
Local Sports

Cutters down Mahoning Valley 5-3 on Friday at Bowman

By NICOLAS SEVERINI 4 min read

The Williamsport Crosscutters made their first appearance back at Bowman Field in over a week a memorable one, downing the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 5-3, at Bowman Field. In a close affair, a pair of runs scored in the second and fourth innings proved pivotal as the Cutters solidified a close victory.

After a scoreless first inning, the Cutters would rally with two outs in the second starting with a Sam DeCarlo infield single. Fresh off a four-hit showing the game prior. Eight-hole hitter Nick Barone would continue his hot streak when he ripped a one hop double to centerfield. By the time Barone slid into second, DeCarlo was already home for the opening run.

Barone would not have to stay at second for long. Two pitches later, Barone would represent Williamsport's second run when Jake Zitella ripped a single to center field.

Shortly after doubling the advantage, Mahoning Valley would halve the deficit in the third inning. The Scrappers would get busy early, loading the bases with one out on singles from Julian Hernandez, Tervell Johnson, and Davis Mauzy. The Scrappers would manage to get one on the board out of it from Maddox Mihalakis, who netted his 36th RBI on the season when he grounded out to second base.

But Williamsport would get there get back an inning later. Leading off the bottom of the fourth inning, both Matthew Williams and Santino Panaro would occupy the basepaths on a walk and a hit by pitch. Trey Wells would come to the plate next, and emphatically throw the home side further in front when he ripped a two run triple down the right field line for a 4-1 lead after four.

Mahoning Valley starter Matt Davis would make it through the fourth before being relieved, conceding four runs on four hits with a pair of walks and three strikeouts.

Williamsport would build off of their lead in the fifth, once again putting the first two batters on base from a Chris Stanfield hit by pitch and an AJ Solomon walk. Three batters later, the Cutters made it 5-1 off of an infield single from Santino Panaro.

It would be a solid debut in Williamsport colors from Panaro, who finished 1for 3 with a hit by pitch, a run batted in and a run scored. AJ Solomon also made his home debut after being picked up during the road trip, going 0 for 3 with a pair of walks in his maiden appearance at Bowman Field.

After conceding just one run in the first five innings of the game, Williamsport starter David Case would show his fatigue in the sixth inning. After a leadoff popup, a Maddox Mihalakis walk brought in Cooper Vance, who quickly cut the lead to three when he uncorked a one-run double to right field. A walk to Zion Williams officially ended Case's night, giving up three runs in five and a third of an inning while conceding four hits and three walks with six strikeouts tossed.

The third run conceded would come with Matthew Mariano on the hill. With runners on first and second, designated hitter Michael Young would slap a single up the middle to score Vance and make it 5-3 after six.

But that would only be a blemish in what was an electric appearance out of the bullpen for Mariano. Featuring as Williamsport's pitcher the rest of the way, he would record an astonishing 11 out saves that saw just two hits and two walks to lead the Cutters to victory.

"He came in, and once he got in rhythm we relied on him," echoed Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas after the win. "We've been having issues with the bullpen, and he was our best shot. No question."

The win moves Williamsport to 17-14 on the second-half season, solidifying third place in the MLB Draft League second-half schedule while Scrappers' 10-21 drops them eight games back from the top of the pack. The Cutters will look for the series win on Saturday, with Williamsport hosting Mahoning Valley in game two of three at Bowman Field.

Starting at /week.