Auburn, N.Y.- The Crosscutters were able to avoid a 9th inning rally for the second time in the series, earning a 4-2 win and take the series against the Doubledays.
Francsico Morales gave the Cutters four innings, allowing one run, unearned, om three hits and four walks, striking out four batters. Morales’ command was an issue at times, as he finished the night throwing 84 pitches.
The Crosscutters gave Morales a lead in the top of the 3rd inning, as Ben Aklinski ripped a RBI double to left field, scoring Matt Kroon to give the Cutters a 1-0 lead on Aklinski’s 19th RBI of the season. Ben Pelletier plated the final run of the frame with a sacrifice fly, scoring Keudy Bocio to make it 2-0 on Pelletier’s 28th RBI.
Morales surrendered his only run of the night in the bottom of the 4th inning, leaving with a 2-1 lead, getting relieved byRafael Carvajal in the 5th inning
In the top of the 5th inning, Rafael Marchan got the run back for Williamsport, scoring Matt Kroon with a RBI single to center field with two out, making it a 3-1 Crosscutters advantage on Marchan’s 8th RBI.
Carvajal worked scoreless frames in the 5th and the 6th inning, before running into trouble in the bottom of the 7th inning. Marchan allowed a pass ball that allowed a run to score, cutting Williamsport’s lead to 3-2.
With the tying run at 3rd base and the go-ahead run at 1st base and one out in the 7th inning, Austin Ross entered in relief of Carvajal. Ross proceeded to strikeout the next two batters, keeping the Crosscutters lead intact, and keep Carvajal in line for the win.
Jake Holmes delivered a huge insurance run in the top of the 8th inning, singling home Rafael Marchan to give the Cutters a 4-2 advantage on Holmes 7th hit of the series and his 2nd RBI since joining the club.
Ross tossed a scoreless 8th inning, working 1.2 innings of scoreless relief setting up Keylan Killgore in the bottom of the 9th inning.
Killgore retired the 1st two batters of the inning before allowing a base hit to Pablo O’Conner and a walk to Jamori Blash to bring the winning run to the plate in Kyle Marinconz. On a 3-2 pitch, Marinconz drilled a Killgore offering deep to right field, only to be caught by Ben Aklinski to end the ballgame and give Killgore his 8th save.
The Crosscutters head back home to start a three-game series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. At BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field.
Cutter Carvings – It was the second consecutive series win for the Crosscutters…They are now 5-4 against the Doubledays this season…Ben Aklinski, Rafael Marchan, Edwin Rodriguez, Randy Alcantara, Rafael Carvajal and Keylan Killgore were all named to the New York Penn League All Star Game before the game tonight…
