Norwich, CT — Williamsport committed a season-high four errors as they opened up their three-game road series against the Connecticut Tigers with a 3-1 loss. All three runs allowed by Cutters pitching went as unearned.
The Tigers scored their first two runs off of Cutters reliever Cole Irvin, who had started the 3rd inning in relief of starter JoJo Ramero, after a two-out error by outfielder Jesus Alastre on a fly ball in right-center that allowed Sam Machonis to reach third.
Cole Bauml followed the error with an RBI infield single that plated Machonis giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Joey Havrilak followed with an RBI triple to deep center scoring Bauml, making it 2-0 Connecticut after three innings of play.
Williamsport’s offense finally broke through for a run in the top of the 8th inning, sparked by a one-out walk by Juan Luis. Luis, was able to swipe 2nd base, picking up his 3rd stolen base on the season.
Alastre, while attempting to drop a sacrifice bunt was hit by a Emanuel Chavez offering, giving the Cutters runners on 1st and 2nd with one out. Enmanuel Garcia followed up with a single through the left side with runners in motion, scoring Juan Luis to cut the deficit to 2-1. On the play, Alastre ended reached third base and Garcia took 2nd base on the throw home.
With the tying run and the go-ahead runners in scoring position, Chavez struck out Luke Williams and Luis Encarnacion back-to-back, ending the Cutters late inning threat.
Connecticut used another Cutters error to score their third run of the night against reliever Jake Kelzer to push their led back to two at 3-1 in the bottom of the 8th.
Gregori Rivero reached with his second single of the night in the 9th inning, but the Cutters weren’t able to get anything going. The Cutters finished the night, 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and leaving seven runners on base in the losing effort.
Cutters starter JoJo Romero tossed the first two inning before being relieved by Irvin. Romero struck out the first batter that he faced in his professional debut. He allowed just one hit and one walk over his two innings in a no-decision.
Reliever Kenny Koplove worked three shutout innings in his longest relief appearance of his season in Williamsport. Over his three innings, the right-hander allowed a pair of hits and a walk while striking out one Tiger batter.
Williamsport continues their three-game series in Norwich, Connecticut against the Tigers. Ranger Suarez gets the start for the Williamsport Crosscutters. At this time no starter has been named for the Connecticut Tigers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Cutter Carvings – The Crosscutters return home on Friday, July 8th as they start a three-game series with the Aberdeen Iron Birds…Williamsport drops to 3-8 on the road this season…The four errors were the most committed by the Cutters this season…
