Cutters Split Doubleheader with Auburn

Williamsport, Penn. - The Crosscutters split a Wednesday doubleheader with the Auburn Doubledays with a 2-0 win in Game 1 followed by a 3-1 loss in Game 2.

Leonel Aponte (W, 3-1) and Rafael Carvajal (S, 4) combined on a six-hit shutout in the opener. It was the eighth blank slate of the season for the Cutters and third in a seven-inning doubleheader game. Jake Holmes provided the offense with his bases-loaded single in the third inning to drive in a pair while extending his hitting streak to six.

The Cutters offense couldn't get going in the nightcap as they suffered a two-hit shutout to Gilberto Chu (W, 3-2) and Fausto Segura (S, 4). Williamsport had the tying runners on base in the bottom of the seventh but Bryson Stott bounced out to end the game. Corbin Williams laced an RBI triple into the left-center gap in the fifth to tie the game at 1-1 at the time.

Brian Marconi (L, 1-4) surrendered a couple runs in the sixth for the loss. Hsin-Chieh Lin worked five strong innings allowing one unearned run in a no decision.
Game 1 was a strong pitchers' duel with the Cutters making the most of their four base-hits. Herbert Iser singled up the middle in the third inning and then Nicolas Torres reached on a nice bunt-single down the third-base line with both runners advancing on a throwing error on the play. Bryson Stott walked to load the bases setting up Holmes with the single to right for the 2-0 lead.
After that Holmes hit in the third, the Auburn pitchers would not yield another base-runner for the rest of the game,
Auburn threatened a couple times but the Cutters worked their way through the situations. Two-out singles in the fourth by Jake Randa and Onix Vegas had the Doubledays pushing for a run but J.T. Arruda was caught looking by Aponte.
The seventh inning featured a pair of singles by Vega and Arruda against Carvajal. But three straight out for Carvajal knocked down that opportunity ending with a swinging strikeout of Anthony Peroni.
Game 2 was another strong pitchers' duel with Auburn eventually breaking through in the fifth. Antony Peroni singled against Hsin-Chieh Lin and then scored on a throwing error y Mitch Edwards sailing the ball down the right-field line after a third-strike wild pitch.
The Cutters counters that unearned run in the bottom of teh inning with Williams notching his first three-bagger of the year bringing around Fassnacht who had walked a couple batters earlier.
But Auburn would score again in the sixth on a two-run single by Jake Alu into right. Randa had singled and Vega walked and both runners moved up on a ground out to set up the winning runs.
The Cutters pushed back in the bottom of the seventh with Rudy Rott reaching on an error and Mitch Edwards drawing a walk. But with one out Williams would strike out and Stott would round out to first to end the game. 

Williamsport returns to action Thursday at 7:05 p.m. with RHP Victor Vargas scheduled to take the mound against the Auburn Doubledays. Just four home games remain for the Crosscutters in 2019.

Cutters Carvings:
- The Cutters are 20-14 in the second half after going 10-27 in the first half.
- The Cutters had six its in the doubleheader against last-place Auburn one day after banging out 11 runs and 14 hits at first-place Batavia
- Williamsport has five games left in the 2019 season including four at home.
- This was the eighth doubleheader of the season for the Cutters who are 0-3-5 (W-L-S) in twin-bills.
- Williamsport is 5-5 vs. Auburn including 3-2 at BB&T Ballpark.