Lowell, M.A.. – Crosscutters starting pitcher Felix Paulino put together an outstanding start in his Williamsport debut, but the Cutters were unable to back his effort as they fall to the Lowell Spinners in 10 innings.
Paulino would continue a strong string of excellent efforts by Crosscutters starting pitching by working six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits ans striking out five Spinners batters. Rarely, did Paulino face a serious threat from the Lowell offense in the outing.
The Crosscutters offense would be stymied by Lowell starting pitcher Kevin Steen, who worked five scoreless innings before being relieved before the start of the 6th inning. Steen, who struggled with command at times was able to work out of a couple jams in the process.
Williamsport would eventually strike for the game’s first and second run, with the first run coming in the top half of the 8th inning. After a Lowell pitching change mid-inning, Lucas Williams would greet new pitcher Dioscar Romero with an RBI single into right-center the scored Williams Cuicas from third base. William’s first RBI of the season gave the Cutters a 1-0 lead.
The Crosscutters second run would score on an infield single by Luis Espiritu Jr. on a groundball to the right side that beat the Spinners defensive shift. Enmanuel Garcia would sprint home for third to score on the play, giving Espiritu Jr. his first RBI and the Cutters a 2-0 lead.
Williamsport would turn to Kenny Koplove in the bottom of the 9th inning, looking for his first save of the season. Lowell would have other plans, scoring twice in the frame to knot the game up at two apiece. Koplove allowed the two batters he faced to reach with a lead off single by Tyler Hill, which was followed up by a RBI double from Roldani Baldwin to cut the lead to 2-1.
Baldwin, who was struck by a foul ball in the right foot in the top of the 9th would be pinch-run for by Chris Madera. After a Cutters pitching change that brought in Will Hibbs, Madera scored on a Ryan Scott RBI single to tie the game at 2-2.
After the Cutters went down in order in the top of the 10th inning against Dioscar Romero, Lowell would see their lead-off man reach on a Lucas Williams error allowing Nick Lovullo aboard at first. After a pair of ground outs, Lovullo found himself at third base with two outs. That’s when Tyler Hill would slap a base hit in right field, scoring Lovullo and giving the Spinners the walk-off victory.
Not to be forgotten, Williamsport received another outstanding relief effort from left hander Jeff Singer, who allowed just one hit and struck out three batters in two shutout innings of relief. Singer has now worked four shutout innings of relief in two appearances this season.
The Crosscutters wrap up their three-game set against the Lowell Spinners tomorrow night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Edward LeLacheur Park in Lowell, Massachusetts. Slated to start for Williamsport is Bradley who will be opposed by Darwinzon Hernandez for Lowell.
Cutter Carvings – The Crosscutters will return home to start a three-game series against Pinckney Division foe, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers….Crosscutters starters have worked 23.2 innings to a tune of a 1.90 ERA…The 2014 Crosscutters were the last team to start the season 1-3…
