By Justin Hawkins
justin@talkwilliamsport.com
On a night that is meant to showcase the connections between the kids of the Little League World Series and the stars of Major League Baseball, another showcase of sorts was happening in the background as former members of the Williamsport Crosscutters made their return to BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field as members of the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets on a night that saw the Mets defeat the Phillies 8-2.
Making their return to where it all began were Phillies 3rd Base Coach Dusty Wathan (Cutters Manager ’08), Phillies Catching Coach Bob Stumpo (’11), Mets 1st Base Coach Ruben Amaro, Jr. (Phillies GM for 7 Years of Cutters Affiliation), Phillies players Cesar Hernandez (’10), Maikel Franco (’11), Adam Morgan (’11), Roman Quinn (’12), Yacksel Rios (’13), Edubray Ramos (’14), Rhys Hoskins (’14), Seranthony Dominguez (’16), and Mets player Jose Bautista (’01).
Jose Bautista, starting in RF, would be a big part of the Mets victory in Williamsport as he went 2-4 at the plate, scoring two runs and picking up an RBI.
Cesar Hernandez, starting at 2nd, went 1-4 at the plate and was left on base.
Maikel Franco got a pinch hit opportunity, but would strike out swinging.
Adam Morgan, entering in relief of Nick Pivetta in the 4th, would throw 1 1/3 innings, giving up no runs on one hit, striking out one, and allowing no walks.
Roman Quinn got a pinch hit opportunity, recording a single but was left stranded.
Yacksel Rios entered in relief of Adam Morgan, going 1 inning, allowing one earned run on three hits, no walks, and struck out three.
Edubray Ramos would enter in relief of Luis Garcia to close the game out for the Phillies, going the final inning allowing no runs on one hit, allowing no walks, and recording no strikeouts.
Rhys Hoskins, starting in LF, went 1-4 with a run scored. His lone hit was off the top of the Mets bullpen in left field that was inches from being a home run. Hoskins also had a home run ball over the Phillies bullpen earlier in the game that would have been a 3 run shot, but was called foul and not reviewed. TV replays later in the game showed that it was a fair ball.
Seranthony Dominguez would not pitch in the Little League Classic as he came out of the bullpen earlier in the series in Philadelphia.
