Cutters Drop Third Straight To Spikes

University Park, PA - The Williamsport Crosscutters allowed 10 combined runs in the third and fourth innings, falling 12-5 to the State College Spikes in Game #3 of the opening four-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Williamsport took the early 1-0 lead over State College thanks to a Daunte Stuart double, which plated Tyrese Johnson. The Cutters would extend their lead to 3-0 in the third as Johnson recorded an RBI double. Johnson would score his second run of the game as well in the frame, coming around on a Sean Smith single.

While recording a season-high 12 hits, Williamsport was unable to plate any additional runs in the contest.

Cutters starter Trenton Shaw started strong in his first appearance, keeping the Spikes off the scoreboard for the first two innings. However, he was chased from the hill with two outs in the third inning after surrendering five runs, all earned, on two hits and six walks. Shaw would be followed by Colbey Klepper, who also allowed five runs, all earned, on three hits and five walks. Klepper would take the loss for Williamsport, falling to 0-1 on the season.

Ethan O'Neal and 2021 returner Jacob Peaden would control the bleeding, each allowing just a single Spikes run to score during a combined 3.1 innings of work on the hill. Catcher Tyler Herron would be called upon to pitch in the 8th inning and would be the only Cutters pitcher to not allow a run in the ballgame, allowing just a single hit and walking a batter while striking out two in his inning of relief.

With the loss, Williamsport falls to 0-3 in 2023.

The Cutters now return home to Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field for a Sunday afternoon matchup against the State College Spikes to cap off the opening series of the 2023 MLB Draft League season with a scheduled first pitch of 4:05pm.