Cutters Close 2017 With Win

State College, PA — Jake Scheiner flexed his muscle in the Crosscutters 6-2 win over the Spikes to close out the 2017 season with a win.

The Crosscutters were able to break through on the scoreboard in the top of the 2nd inning, getting a lead off walk from Greg Pickett that was followed by a Jake Scheiner single and a Malvin Matos walk to load the bases.

Nerluis Martinez grounded out to the 2nd basemen Irving Lopez for the 2nd out of the inning, allowing Pickett to score from 3rd base and give the Crosscutters a 1-0 lead. It was the first RBI of the season for Martinez.

Williamsport added on to their lead in the top of the 4th inning, getting a lead off single from Greg Pickett and a double from Jake Scheiner to set the stage.

Malvin Matos plated Pickett with a ground out to the 3rd basemen Matt Davis that gave the Crosscutters a 2-0 advantage and gave Matos his 19th RBI of the season. Scheiner raced home on a Paul Balestrieri wild pitch to up the Crosscutters advantage to 3-0.

Julian Garcia finished the night, tossing five shutout innings in his final start of 2017. Garcia allowed one hit and three walks while striking out six Spikes batters. The right-hander finished the season with a 4-5 record.

Jake Scheiner added on to the Crosscutters lead in the top of the 6th inning, connecting on his 4th home run of the season, a two-run shot over the wall in left to score Greg Pickett, giving Williamsport a 5-0 lead. The RBI gave Scheiner his 19th RBI of the year.

Damon Jones took over for Garcia in the top of the 6th inning, working around a pair of base runners in a scoreless 6th. However the Spikes would get on the board against Jones in the bottom of the 7th inning.

After Alexis Wilson drew a two-out walk and reaching 2nd on a Jones wild pitch, Irving Lopez doubled to the wall in right, scoring Wilson to cut the deficit to 5-1.

That would be the only run the Spikes would score, as Jones finished the night allowing the one run, on two hits, two walks and striking out two in his two innings of work.

Williamsport capped their scoring in the top of the 8th inning, as Brian Mims ripped a RBI single to center, scoring Malvin Matos to give the Crosscutters a 6-1 lead. The RBI was the 6th of the season.

Zach Warren entered in the bottom of the 8th inning and tossed a pair of scoreless innings of relief, allowing a base hit and two walks while striking out two as he closed out the final win of the season.

Cutter Carvings – The Crosscutters finished the 2017 season with a 37-37 record… The Crosscutters have not finished under .500 under Pat Borders… Williamsport finished the 2017 Saw-Buck series 6-6 against the Spikes… The 45 home runs hit by the Crosscutters in 2017 surpassed their total in 2016 by 10 home runs… The Crosscutters tied a franchise record, being hit by a pitch 54 times…