Williamsport, Pa. – The Crosscutters were held to two hits in their 5-2 Opening Night loss to West Virginia.
Starting Pitcher, Kurt Barr, gave the Crosscutters three strong innings, striking out four of the 13 batters he faced. The Michigan product worked around a hit and a pair of walks before being relieved in the 4th inning. Barr threw 50 pitches, 28 for strikes, in his first outing of the season.
The Crosscutters were able to break through on the scoreboard in the bottom of the 4th inning, cashing in on a lead-off walk to Owen Prince. Prince stole 2nd base and was awarded 3rd on a balk by West Virginia starting pitcher, Gabe Smith. Ben Tryon plated Prince with a sacrifice fly, giving the Cutters a 1-0 lead.
The Black Bears answered with two in the top of the 5th against Cutters reliever Jaden Noot. After retiring the first two batters of the frame, Noot allowed a walk and back-to-back hits, allowing the two runs to cross and giving the Black Bears a 2-1 lead.
In the top of the 7th, the Black Bears saw their first two batters reach against Noot. Noot was lifted for Mikey Gray, who was able to retire both batters he faced and picked off a runner to keep the deficit at 2-1.
Williamsport took advantage of another lead off walk in the bottom of the 7th inning as Kelly Robertson worked his way aboard. The speedy center fielder swiped 2nd and 3rd base. Robertson was able to cross home on a RBI ground out from Brody Acres, tying the game at 2-2.
Again, the Black Bears had an immediate answer, scoring three times in the top of the 8th inning.
With one out in the frame, West Virginia had runners on 2nd and 3rd. Wills Maginnis grounded to a drawn in KJ White Jr at 2nd base. White Jr threw home, low, allowing the ball to get away. Two runs crossed on the play to give West Virginia a 4-2 lead.
The Black Bears took advantage of a second throwing error, this time by the 3rd basemen, Brody Acres, to take a 5-2 lead.
Opening the bottom of the 8th, the Cutters drew back-to-back walks, setting themselves up with a chance to battle back. After a mound visit, Chris Stanfield was caught trying to steal 3rd base. The inning came to and end as Steel Burd struck out swinging with Owen Prince trying to steal 2nd. Prince was called out on batters interference.
The Crosscutter were retired in order in the bottom of the 9th, dropping the opener, 5-2.
The Crosscutters will look to bounce back Wednesday night, with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch against West Virginia. That game will feature a 100tht Anniversary Pin Giveaway to the first 1,000 fans presented by Pin Queen Productions and will be the first HersheyPark Kids Night and Wing Wednesday of the season.
Great seats for Wednesday's game and the rest of the 2026 season and can be purchased by visiting the Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field Box Office, calling the Cutters Hotline at 570-326-3389, or anytime online at Crosscutters.com.
Cutters Carvings: The Cutters did not have a hit after the 3rd inning… Kelly Robertson stole three bases in the loss… Williamsport did not record a hit in the innings they scored in…
