Crosscutters fall to State College on Sunday, 9

Oct 11, 2023

Jun 4, 2023

Titan Hayes of the Crosscutters throws a pitch to State College at Muncy Bank Ballpark June 4, 2023. Hayes was consistently throwing in the mid to upper 90's in his first outting for the Cutters. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

In a marathon matchup that saw 14 runs, 20 hits, 15 walks, and 12 pitchers, the State College Spikes defeated the Williamsport Crosscutters on Sunday at Bowman Field, 9-5, completing the opening series sweep and drop Williamsport to 0-4.

The Spikes took game four of the series in front of a near-capacity crowd with numerous two-out rallies making the difference for the visitors. The 4-0 start marks the best start in franchise history for The Spikes.

"We got our (butts) kicked (this series). That's pretty self explanatory," said Williamsport manager Jesse Litsch following this loss. "We gotta throw more strikes. We gotta compete. … We get ahead, we give ’em back. We get ahead, we give ’em back."

The Crosscutters find themselves 0-4 to start the season, the only MLB Draft League team without a win this season.

"It's a [league] that is more showcase style, so its not about wins and losses," echoed Ritsch. "But nobody likes to lose, and right now we are not playing like we wanna win, and that's a problem."

Tyler Herron of the Crosscutters is safe at home as Luke Napleton of State College tries to make the game in the 4th inning at Muncy Bank Ballpark June 4, 2023.DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The Spikes had been dominant at the plate throughout the series, and would continue that trend to start Sunday's ball game. After a scoreless first, the visitors drew first blood with a two-out rally in the bottom of the second. Catcher Luke Napleton (3 for 6, two RBIs, two runs) got it started with a lead off single, and after two strikeouts, right fielder Robby Morgan IV (1 for 3, RBI, walk, two runs), smashed a 98 mile-per-hour double which one hopped off the wall, scoring Napleton.

The carousal would continue, as Cade Climie (1 for 2, walk) took a pitch to the arm which put runners on first and second. Nine-hole hitter Tyler Wilson (2 for 5, two RBIs) would then lace a single to right field, scoring Morgan. The top of the order would produce another runner on base courtesy of another hit by pitch to Aden Howard (1 for 3, RBI, walk, run).

Over the course of the series, Williamsport pitchers would offer 39 free bases to Spike batters, including 13 walks in Saturday's loss. The damage would be limited thanks to an Addison Smith ground out back to the pitcher, stranding the bases loaded in the second.

The Cutters would threaten a response in the bottom half of the second, when Spikes starter Gabe Starks walked both Reed Chumley (2 for 3, two RBIs, home run, walk) and Torin Smith. A soft ground out from Eric Fernandez (1 for 4, run) would advance both runners into scoring position.

The threat was for not. With a three-pitch strikeout from Starks to Tyler Herron (1 for 3, run) putting an end to the threat.

Reed Chumley of the Crosscutters connects on a 2-run home run in the 4th inning against State College at Muncy Bank Ballpark June 4, 2023.DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Herran would finish his day striking out three batters in three innings, giving up just one hit and no walks.

Righty Drew Bryan got the start for the Crosscutters in the season finally. He would finish his outing after three innings allowing two runs on three hits, walking just one batter, and striking out three whilst hitting two. Five of his six runners aloud in his outing would come in the second.

"Just glad to go up there and compete. Fill up the zone," said Bryan post game. "It's always good to get punched in the face and see how you react. Hopefully I can bounce back and do better next time."

Ryan Geraghty was the first out of the pen for Williamsport. The 18-year-old was unable to buck the trend, allowing another two-out rally. Spikes would get two runners on to start the fourth from a Jack Riedle single (1 for 4, two walks, run) and walk by Morgan IV. A couple fine plays from second baseman Daunte Stuart kept the runners at the corners with two away. A walk allowed to Howard would load the bases before a base hit by Addison Smith (1 for 3, two RBIs, walk), scoring two more for the Spikes. Matthew Bardowell (three walks) would then reach on a walk, loading the bases once more. State College would once again leave the bases loaded on a Napleton fly out to centerfielder Tyrese Johnson, who would make five catches during the course of the game.

With the close to capacity crowd desperate for a response, the fans would get their wish with four runs scored in the bottom half. Facing reliever Ben Harris (1-0), Stuart (1 for 5, run) would get things started with his second double of the season, lacing one to left center. Third Baseman Reed Chumley would do one better by ripping a 355-foot homer to left field, halving the deficit to 4-2.

Reed Chumley of the Crosscutters celebrates with the team after connecting on a 2-run home run in the 4th inning against State College at Muncy Bank Ballpark June 4, 2023.DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

"I had been 0 for my first 11 or 12 (at bats) … and I told myself in the box ‘he wasn't gonna beat me on anything,'" said Chumley after the game. "I said ‘just sit back and see the pitch, like we’re playing stickball. I just saw the pitch and took my best swing at it."

After a fly out from Torin Smith, Eric Fernandez would get a base hit to center, the first of his career. Tyler Herron (1 for 3, run) would continue the rally with a sharp drive to left center, putting runners at the corners with just one away.

With Herron attempting to steal second, nine-hole hitter Sean Smith (1 for 4, RBI) tapped a soft grounder past the out of position second baseman Jack Riedal. The base hit would score Fernandez and make it a one-run game.

With runners now at second and third and one away, leadoff man Ryan Vogal (2 for 3, RBI, walk, run) hit a fly ball to right, far enough for Herron to tag from third and tie the game. Another soft grounder from Tyrese Johnson found the gap, putting runners back at the corners with two away. The run would end there however, with Harris picking off Johnson at first.

In total, the Cutters would record six hits in the inning, the same amount that they had in the first two games of the series combined.

The 4-all game would not last long. With righty Titan Hays making his pitching debut for the Cutters, Morgan IV and Climie would both reach base. A two infield single from Wilson would score Morgan IV, his second run of the day and fifth for State College.

The sixth run would come in the next at bat, with Howard blooping a single just beyond the third baseman Reed Chumley, scoring Climie.

With two outs and runners on second and third from a Howard steal, Smith cracked a liner to right center which was looking to clear the bases, only to be denied by a spectacular diving grab from Ryan Vogal playing right field to end the rally. Ryan Vogal now has two diving catches in two home games this season.

The Crosscutters were unable to respond in the bottom of the fifth despite excellent base running work by Gage Gundy, who swiped two bags after getting on base via a walk.

Ryan Vogel (2 for 3, RBI, walk run) got things started again in the seventh with a lead off walk. After a two-base throwing error from reliever Daniel Padysack, a sacrifice fly from pinch hitter Jack Oberdorf (RBI) made it a 6-5 affair.

Napleton would provide a response for the Spikes in the top of the 8th with a one out triple that was scorched to left center, one hopping off the wall. The Lagrange, Illinois native would later score from a wild pitch by reliever Creed Watkins.

Williamsport's best chance to equalize came in the eighth with two runners out and two outs. With Smith at the plate, Padysack, in his third inning of work, showed out with a three pitch strikeout. Padysack would finish his line in relief going three innings, giving up one unearned run on one hit, allowing one walk while tossing eight strikeouts.

State College would put it away in the top of the ninth.

With two outs and nobody on, a hit by pitch to Howard, single from pinch-hitter Darrell Michael-Jean (1 for 2, run), walk to Bardowell, and two run single from Naptleton gave the Spikes a four run cushion.

Matthew Linskey would close it out for State College in the ninth, keeping the sheet clean, and securing the sweep for State College.

"They’re gonna have to learn," said Litsch. "If they wanna play at the next level, it's all part of the process. We’re gonna move forward beyond this series. But any time we get swept, it's never a good thing."

With Monday off, the Crosscutters unloaded the bullpen, sending out Bryan, Geraghty, Hayes (0-1) James Vaughn, Ryan Hasty, Creed Watkins and Nate Wohlgemuth. The Spikes kept the bullpen warm as well, using Starks, Harris, Ryan Ward, Padysak, and Linskey in the game.

Following the series loss, the Williamsport Crosscutters will look too rebound as they travel to take on the reigning MLB Draft League champion West Virginia Black Bears on Tuesday. Williamsport's next home game will be the first of a six-game slate, as they return to Bowman Field on Friday to face off against Mahoning Valley.

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

AUSTIN – Garrett Nepert (Preston, Md./Colonel Richardson (Chesapeake County CC)) of the Lock Haven baseball team ...

Six area teams have reached the state quarterfinals. Three baseball squads and three softball ones have established ...