Big Innings Lead Spikes to Win

Final Score - Williamsport 5 State College 9

State College, PA – The State College Spikes defeated the Crosscutters 9–5, trading big innings back and forth. Both teams combined to score 14 runs on 12 hits.

The Spikes took a big lead in the bottom of the second inning, scoring four runs on only one hit. The Cutters recorded two outs before two walks and a single loaded the bases. State College scored a run on a bases-loaded walk, a run on a wild pitch, and two runs on a throwing error.

The Cutters got a run back in the top of the third without getting a hit. Third baseman Daniel Harris IV was hit by a pitch to leadoff the inning. Shortstop Isaac Nunez and first baseman Tayden Hall each earned a two-out walk. With the bases loaded, catcher Hogan McIntosh was hit by a pitch to bring in a run.

Designated hitter Lance Logsdon and right fielder Cole Evans earned back-to-back walks to lead off the top of the fourth inning. Harris IV hit an RBI single to make the game 4–2. Second baseman Josue Urdaneta was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Nunez hit into a groundout bringing home the Cutters third run. With two outs, Hall hit a two-run single and the Cutters took a 5–4 lead.

Reliever Sal Fusco threw two scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth, allowing only a walk.

The Spikes scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take another four-run lead. State College led off the inning with a triple and a sacrifice fly by Keshawn Ogans to tie the game at 5–5. The Spikes went on another big two-out getting two runners on from a triple and a walk. Lyndon Weaver hit a run-run single to give the Spikes the lead. Kevin Karstetter and Will Simpson each hit an RBI double while another run scored on a wild pitch to make the score 9–5.

Jacob Peaden threw a three-up, three-down inning in the bottom of the eighth with a strikeout, continuing his strong season.

The Cutters went scoreless over the final five innings as the Spikes took the win in game one.

With West Virginia defeating Trenton, The Black Bears take a one-game lead over the Crosscutters in the Draft League standings with two games left to play. The Cutters return to Williamsport for games two and three of the series against State College starting on Friday at 6:35 p.m.

Cutters Carvings: There were more runs than hits in the ballgame … five batters were hit by a pitch in the game … Lance Logsdon walked three times … Jacob Peaden has a 1.93 ERA in 14.0 innings pitched … Matthew Etzel is top five in batting average, home runs and RBI.