Williamsport, P.A. – For the second consecutive night, Cole Stobbe started the Crosscutters scoring with a 2nd inning solo home run deep over the left center field wall. Unfortunately, it was not enough as the Cutters fell to the Spikes 5-3 in their home opener.
Edwin Figuera got the scoring started for the State College Spikes, driving home Josh Lopez to give the Spikes an early 1-0 lead against Crosscutters starter Gustavo Armas in the top of the 2nd inning.
Cole Stobbe, would answer in the bottom of the frame, sending a Daniel Castano pay off pitch over the wall in left center field, tying the game at 1-1.
Gustavo Armas ran into a little bit of trouble in the top of the 4th, hitting the lead off man Matt Davis and then surrendering a double to Edwin Figuera to start the inning. Mick Fennell plated Davis from 3rd with an RBI ground out to give the Spikes a 2-1 lead, while moving Figuera to 3rd. Caleb Lopes sacrifice fly to deep right would chase home Figuera to extend the lead to 3-1 after 4 innings.
Armas would be relieved by Justin Miller in the top of the 5th inning, allowing three runs, all earned, on six hits. The Cutters starter struck out two and walked one.
State College would add on a pair of runs against Miller in the top of the 6th inning, using a RBI double from Edwin Figuera that scored Josh Lopez and a wild pitch from Miller that plated Figuera, giving the Spikes a 5-1 lead heading into the bottom of the 6th.
Raul Rivas did his best to get the Crosscutters back into the ball game in the bottom of the 7th, scorching a two-run single into right center field, scoring Rodolfo Duran and Jesus Alastre, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Both runs were charged to Spikes starter Daniel Castano.
Orestes Melendez relieved Miller in the top of the 7th inning and was dominant, striking out three while facing the minimum over three innings of perfect relief for Williamsport.
Colton Thompson and Robbie Gordon combined for three innings of shutout relief for the State College Spikes to close the door on the Crosscutters. Gordon, tossed a clean 9th inning to earn his first save of the season.
Castano went six innings, allowing three runs, all earned, on eight hits while striking out six and allowing just one walk en route to his first win of the season.
The Crosscutters continue their current home stand tomorrow night as they welcome in the West Virginia Black Bears into BB&T Ballpark to start a three-game series against their Pinckney division foe. Left-hander Will Stewart is scheduled to toe the slab for Williamsport. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Cutter Carvings – Despite the series split, the Crosscutters outhit the Spikes 19-14…Williamsport struckout 20 times in the series…The Cutters did not commit an error in the loss… Raul Rivas and Cole Stobbe were the lone Crosscutters to record a multi-hit game…
