State College, PA — The Crosscutters were held to two hits for the second night, falling 3-1 to the Spikes in the middle game of the series in State College.
For the second-straight night, both starting pitchers were excellent, seeing the Spikes able to get the best of the Crosscutters in a low scoring game.
State College was able to plate a 1st inning run, getting a sacrifice fly from Bryce Denton to score Scott Hurst to give the Spikes a 1-0 lead against Cutters starter Julian Garcia.
Jake Scheiner led off the top of the 5th inning with a walk against Spikes starter Johan Oviedo, moving to 2nd base on a stolen base as Cole Stobbe took strike three for the first out.
After Scheiner took 3rd on a ground out by Nerluis Martinez, Scheiner was able to race home on a wild pitch by Oviedo with Brian Mims at the plate, to tie the game at 1-1. Unfortunately it would be the lone run scored by the Cutters on the night.
Garcia settled in, tossing four-straight scoreless innings before allowing a run in the bottom of the 6th inning.
Bryce Denton led off the 6th with a base hit against Garcia, which was followed by a walk to Yariel Gonzalez. After the walk, Pat Borders made the move to the bullpen to bring in Randy Alcantara.
After Alcantara got Josh Lopez to ground into a double play, Wood Myers tripled to deep left field, over the head of Josh Stephen to score Bryce Denton and give the Spikes a 2-1 lead, closing the door on Garcia’s night.
Zach Kirtley followed with a double to right, scoring Myers to give the Spikes a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the 6th inning.
Garcia finished the night allowing two runs, both earned, on six hits and three walks while striking out eight. Garcia fell to 3-4 on the year with the loss.
Johan Oviedo tossed a season-high eight innings, allowing just one run, earned, on two hits and a walk while striking out nine Cutters. The win improved Oviedo to 2-2 on the season.
Randy Alcantara allowed one run, earned, on three hits over three innings. Alcantara did not walk a batter, but did strike out one Spikes hitter.
Will Latcham tossed a scoreless 9th inning, picking up a pair of strike outs as he earned his 4th save of the season.
The Crosscutters conclude their three-game series against the Spikes in State College tomorrow night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. At Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Cutter Carvings – The Crosscutters were retired in order in five of the nine innings tonight and have been retired in order in 11 of the 18 innings played in the series… Williamsport falls to 4-6 against the Spikes with three more meetings against the Spikes, all on the road… Williamsport was held without an extra-base hit for the second consecutive night…
