WILLIAMSPORT, PA—In a tight contest at Journey Bank Ballpark, the Williamsport Crosscutters narrowly defeated the State College Spikes, 6-5, Thursday evening.
The Spikes took an early lead in the first inning when Landen Johnson singled to drive in Harrison Didawick. However, the Crosscutters swiftly answered back in their half of the inning with an RBI double from Taeg Gollert and a run-scoring single by Matthew Bardowell, pulling ahead 2-1.
State College reclaimed the lead in the third inning with a clutch two-run single from Ryan Rivera, but Williamsport tied it in the bottom of the third thanks to an RBI groundout from Armani Newton.
Momentum shifted once again in the fourth inning when the Spikes’ Merik Carter grounded out to score Javon Hernandez, nudging them ahead 4-3. However, a pivotal seventh inning saw Williamsport capitalize on Spikes’ miscues, including a costly balk by Spikes pitcher Aidan Lee that allowed Carlos Castillo to score, tying the game. Moments later, Matthew Bardowell delivered again, driving in two crucial runs to give the Crosscutters a 6-4 lead.
The Spikes narrowed the gap in the eighth inning as Dylan LaPointe tripled home Camden Ross, but the comeback fell short. Crosscutters’ closer Jed Boyle sealed the victory with a strong ninth inning to secure his third save.
The Spikes look to bounce back tonight as they head to Trenton to face the Thunder.
