Williamsport, PA — Thanks to the late inning heroics of outfielder Luke Maglich, the Williamsport Crosscutters were able to erase a seven-run deficit, plating eight runs over the final three innings to get the win and complete the series sweep of the Muckdogs at BB&T Ballpark.
The Batavia Muckdogs controlled the first six and a half innings of the ballgame, jumping out to a 7-0 lead and chasing Cutters starter Felix Paulino in the 5th inning. Paulino finished the night, allowing four runs on four hits in four and a third innings. The right-hander also surrendered his second home run of the the season before being relieved.
As we have seen with the Cutters this season, their offense some nights won’t get rolling until the later stages, and that held true tonight as the Cutters hung a crooked number in each of the final three innings to complete the come-from-behind win.
After getting two runs back in the bottom of the 7th, Williamsport kept the momentum rolling by plating four more in the bottom of the 8th, taking advantage of three Batavia errors. Juan Luis was a big part of the scoring, providing a pinch-hit RBI double and scoring on a throwing error which capped the scoring in the inning. Both plays came with two outs in the frame.
Williamsport cut the deficit to 7-6 heading into the top of the 9th inning.
Tyler Hallead kept the Muckdogs off the board in the top of the 9th, working around a pair of walks to set up the Cutters for a chance at another walk-off win at home.
Henri Lartigue drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the 9th and was pinch-run for by Enmanuel Gracia. Luke Maglich, who was 0-for-2 with a pair of walks to this point, battled with Batavia reliver Brent Wheatley to a full count.
After Garcia was able to reach second on a wild pitch, Maglich drilled a pay-off pitch deep to right field, over the outstretched glove of Johnny Santos, allowing Garcia to race home to tie the game at 7-7, as Maglich slide into third with the RBI triple.
With the infield drawn in, Chandler Hall lined softly to Muckdogs 2nd basemen Joseph Chavez for the 2nd out of the inning, leaving it up to Luis Espiritu Jr. to drive home the winning run. But, the Cutters 2nd basemen wouldn’t have the chance to do so.
Wheatley’s 0-1 offering popped off the mitt of catcher Pablo Garcia and rolled into foul territory on the first base side of home. Without hesitation, Maglich darted for the plate, sliding in head first before Garcia’s tag giving the Cutters the 8-7 win, securing the three-game sweep of the Muckdogs.
David Martinelli and Jesus Alastre were both able to extend their current hit streaks to nine games a piece.
The Crosscutters are back on the road as they start a three-game series against the Vermont Lake Monsters. Left-hander Bailey Falter toes the rubber for the the Cutters, as the Chino Hills native makes his fourth start of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Cutter Carvings – Jesus Alastre had his consecutive on-base streak snapped at 10 at bats with a pop-out in the 5th inning…The seven run deficit is the largest to be over come by the Cutters this season…The seven runs are also the most runs allowed in a win and at home by Williamsport…Luke Maglich leads the club with his two triples and is the first Cutter to 10 RBI this season…
