WILLIAMSPORT PA – The Crosscutters needed just one inning to seize control Tuesday night, unloading a five-run first that powered the Crosscutters past the State College Spikes, 8-2. With the victory, Williamsport improved to 10-5, while the Spikes slipped to 5-8. Right-hander Merit Jones earned his first win of the summer with 2.1 shutout frames in relief, lowering his ERA to 1.69.
The opening burst started when Ryan Kennell hustled home on a throwing error, and two pitches later Taeg Gollert crushed his first Draft League homer to left-center. Jack Lausch, Amman Dewberry, and Dylan Schaefer followed with three straight singles, stretching the lead to 5-0 before Spikes starter Dayne Pengelly could escape.
State College’s best chance came in the top of the 6th. Back-to-back RBI singles by Camden Ross and Carmelo Musacchia chopped the deficit to 6-2, yet Williamsport counter-punched in the bottom of the 7th. Lausch lashed a leadoff double, and Dewberry’s RBI two-bagger—his second extra-base hit of the night—rekindled momentum before Ryan Kennell plated the eighth run with a line-drive single.
The Spikes look to regain footing for Wednesday night for game 2 of this 3 game series in Williamsport.
