Walks, Errors Lead To Cutters Loss

State College, P.A. – A night after not allowing a single free pass, the Crosscutters allow nine walks in their 6-5, 11 inning loss to the State College Spikes on Saturday night.

Cutters starter Francisco Morales got off to a quick start, striking out the side in the bottom of the 1st inning, using a fastball that sat in the mid-90’s and reached 98 MPH.

For the second straight night the Spikes were able to strike first, using a RBI ground out from Delvin Perez to plate Edwin Figuera to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning.

Williamsport would respond in the top of the 4th inning, using RBI doubles from Danny Mayer and Jesus Heriquez to take a 2-1 lead against Spikes starter Winston Nicacio.

The Cutters lead would be short-lived however as the Spikes would tie the game in the bottom of the 4th, using a Wadye Ynfante sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Brady Whalen to knot things at 2-2.

Morales would not make it out of the 4th inning, finishing the night having allowed two runs, both earned, on two hits and four walks while striking out seven batters before being relieved by Jose Jimenez.

The Spikes retook the lead in the bottom of the 6th inning against Jimenez, using a Nerluis Martinez error that allowed Wadye Ynfante to score with two outs in the frame, giving State College a 3-2 lead.

Williamsport would not go quietly, as Rafael Marchan tripled home Keudy Bocio with one out in the top of the 8th inning to tie the game again, this time at 3-3. The Crosscutters were unable to plate Marchan in the 8th, keeping the game tied.

The Crosscutters took the lead back in the top of the 9th inning, as Bocio delivered a RBI single into left field, scoring Nerluis Martinez from 3rd to give the Crosscutters a 4-3 advantage heading into the bottom of the 9th inning.

State College rallied in the bottom of the 9th, tying the game on a Brendan Donovan sacrifice fly to center, scoring pinch runner Andres Luna, tying the game at 4-4 against Cutters reliever Oscar Marcelino.

In the top of the 10th inning, Williamsport took full advantage of the new extra-innings rule that placed a runner at 2nd to start the frame. The Cutters would use and RBI double by Jesus Henriquez to take a 5-4 lead and then add on with a RBI single from Nerluis Martinez to extend their lead to 6-4.

State College would also take advantage of the new extra innings rule, en route to plating a pair of runs, scoring their first run of the inning on a bases loaded hit by pitch of Joe Gomez that scored Justin Toerner from 3rd. The Spikes tied the game on a Nick Dunn sacrifice fly to rightfield, scoring Wadye Ynfante to tie the game a 6-6, sending the game to an 11th inning.

Williamsport threatened in the 11th, but a nice play by Spikes 3rd basemen Brendan Donovan turned into an out at home ofStoney O’Brien. The Cutters were unable to score a run in the frame, keeping the score tied 6-6 heading to the bottom of the inning.

With Anton Kuznetzov on the mound for Williamsport, Delvin Perez started the 11th at 2nd base and with Donovan at the plate, the Spikes 3rd basemen dropped a bunt, fielded by Cutters 3rd basemen Jesus Henriquez. Henriquez looked the runner back at 2nd and threw high to Gonzalez at 1st. Gonzalez tried to apply the tag to the helmet of Donovan, but the ball came out of the glove of Gonzalez and went into right field, allowing Perez to come around to score the game-winning run, giving the Spikes the 7-6 walk-off win.

Williamsport heads back home to conclude this three-game series with the State College Spikes tomorrow evening. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. At BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field.

Cutter Carvings – Anton Kuznezov is the first Russian born player/pitcher to appear in a game for the Crosscutters…Francisco Morales struck out six of the first eight batters that he faced…The Crosscutters will play their next four games at home, welcoming in the Auburn DoubleDays (Nationals affiliate) for three games starting on June 18th…