Final Score- Williamsport 29 Trenton 3
Trenton, N.J. – The Cutters' offense exploded for 29 runs on 26 hits, dominating Trenton in a 29–3 win. Right fielder Conner Denning, who hit three home runs, and left fielder Nick Hussey each had six RBI in the game. 18 of the Cutters' 29 runs were unearned in the game from eight Trenton errors. This was the highest amount of runs and hits in a single game for the Crosscutters since the Draft League began in 2021.
The Cutters batted around twice in the top of the first, scoring 12 runs. The offense went for eight hits, four walks, and some help from four Trenton errors. Starter Jarrett Whorff was fantastic on the mound with a comfortable lead, throwing six innings with one earned run on four hits and eight strikeouts.
The first inning began with a leadoff single from centerfielder Taylor Jackson followed by a throwing error that allowed right fielder Connor Denning to reach safely. Designated hitter Carter Mize doubled to bring home Jackson. Shortstop Travis Holt hit a sacrifice fly to bring in a run followed by an error that led to the third run. Left fielder Nick Hussey hit into a groundout for the second out, also making it a 4–0 game.
First baseman Chris Swanberg and Jackson each hit an RBI single later in the inning for a 6–0 lead. The Cutters loaded the bases, and the seventh run scored on a balk. Denning then blasted a three-run home run to give the Cutters a huge 10-run lead. The bats kept going in the inning, with third baseman Daniel Harris IV hitting an RBI double. A fielding error in the next at-bat scored Holt and the Cutters came out of the top of the first with a 12–0 lead.
Trenton got a run back in the bottom of the first from an RBI single. The Cutters added two more in the top of the third to extend the lead to 14–1. A run scored on an error and the second scored on a groundout hit by second baseman Jesse Hall
The Cutters continued its offensive explosion with three runs in the fourth and two runs in the fifth. With the bases loaded in the fourth, Hussey brought home a run on a groundout and catcher Mitch Hundley hit a sacrifice fly. Hall was hit by a pitch to bring in another run for a 17–1 lead. In the fifth, Denning blasted his second home run, this time a solo shot. Pinch runner Zach Miller scored on a wild pitch to make the score 19–1.
Both Miller and Hussey hit two-run doubles in the top of the sixth, giving the Cutters a 23–1 lead. Trenton scored on a wild pitch for their second run of the game in the bottom of the innings.
Trenton turned to its position players to take the mound in the seventh inning. Denning blasted his third home run of the game. Pinch hitter E.J. Taylor then launched a three-run homer to give the Cutters a 28–2 lead.
Both teams added a run in the eighth inning to make it a 29–3 ballgame. The Cutters scored on an error and Trenton scored its run on a solo home run by Sam Freedmen.
Jesse Bolt came onto the mound in the ninth, throwing a three-up, three-down inning in the ninth to close out a huge victory for the Cutters.
The Cutters travel to State College for a three-game series with the Spikes, beginning on Friday at 6:35 p.m.
Cutters Carvings: Connor Denning was 4-for-7 with six RBI and three home runs … Nick Hussey was 2-for-5 with six RBI … 11 of the 12 Cutters players who had an at-bat drove in at least one run … 18 of the Cutters’ 29 runs were unearned due to eight Trenton errors … The Cutters pitching staff sports a 3.29 ERA, the lowest in the Draft League … The cutters were 14-for-31 with runners in scoring position.
