Bats Erupt In Win

Williamsport, P.A. – A night after failing to plate a single run in 10 innings, the Crosscutters pounded out a season-high 13 hits en route to a season-high seven runs in their 7-3 win over the Auburn DoubleDays.

In what seems to have become a trend, the Williamsport Crosscutters received another brilliant start, this time from right-hander Juan Escorcia, who retired the first 10 batters he faced to open the night.

Escorcia allowed just two base runners on the evening, including the lone base hit he surrendered, which came in his final inning of work. He finished allowing the one hit over five shutout innings, striking out seven DoubleDays batters without allowing a walk.

The Crosscutters offense, who failed to cash in on a scoring chance in the 3rd inning, were able to score the game’s first run in the the bottom of the 4th inning on a Danny Mayer RBI ground rule double to right field, giving Williamsport an 1-0 advantage.

Williamsport added on to their lead in the bottom of the 5th inning, using a Edwin Rodriguez RBI double that plated Jesus Henriquez, upping the lead to 2-0. Matt Vierling picked up his first RBI of the season with a two-out RBI single that score Rodriguez to give Williamsport a three-run lead at 3-0.

Auburn would crack the scoreboard in the top of the 6th inning, using a lead off triple from Nick Choruby to set the table. Cutters releiver Denny Martinez uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Choruby to scamper home and cut the deficit to 3-1. Martinez would get out of the inning, allowing the one run.

In the top of the 8th inning, the DoubleDays plated two more runs, again using a wild pitch after a triple to score Paul Caulfield making it 3-2 against Cutters reliever Anton Kuznetsov. Auburn plated the second run of the inning when Jamuri Blash grounded into a double play, allowing Choruby to score from 3rd to tie the game at 3-3. Kuznetsov limited the damage to the two runs in the inning.

In the 8th inning, Williamsport’s offense came to the aid of the pitching staff, plating four runs to retake the lead for good. In the frame, Williamsport got a RBI single from Ben Pelletier, an two-run triple from Seth Lancaster which was followed up by a RBI triple from Jesus Henriquez that nearly cleared the right field wall.

Kuznetzov finished the game, working around a two-out single to get the Crosscutters the 7-3 victory in front of the home crowd. The left hander finished the night allowing two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out two.

Crosscutters pitchers combined to strikeout 14 Auburn batters and walk just one, which is impressive, as the DoubleDays struck out just 18 times total in their three-game series against Batavia to open the season.

The Crosscutters remain at home as they continue a three-game set against the Auburn DoubleDays tomorrow night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. At BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field.

Cutter Carvings – No Crosscutters starting pitcher has yet to factor into a decision this season…The four runs in the 8th inning are the most scored by the Cutters in a single inning this year… Williamsport totaled five extra base hits, three doubles and two triples in the win…