Niles, OH - The Williamsport Crosscutters stayed hot in the pursuit of the MLB Draft League First Half Championship as they defeated the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 12-2 at Eastwood Field on Saturday night.

Williamsport's offense struck right off the call of "Play Ball" as Carter Dorighi led off with a single and stole second. Two batters later, he would score on a Riley Nelson single.

In the second inning, following three straight walks to start the frame, JM Long pushed across Jackson Mayo with a Sac Fly, extending the Williamsport lead to 2-0.

The third inning saw a one out double from Riley Nelson and a single from McGwire Holbrook, setting the table for Jackson Mayo. Mayo would drive a ball 384 feet over the right field wall for his second homer of the season and giving Williamsport the lead back at 5-2. Later in the inning, Carter Dorighi would single to score Porter Brown to make it 6-2.

Williamsport would have to wait until the sixth to find the scoreboard again, this time off the bat of Max Mandler who doubled to score Mark Shallenberger to make it 7-2 in favor of the Cutters.

In the top of the seventh, Lawson Knight would ground into a fielders choice that allowed Cole Russo to score, extending the lead once again to 8-2.

The Cutters added more insurance runs in the top of the ninth as Carter Dorighi picked up his seventh double of the season to score Porter Brown. Two batters later started a string of scoring for Williamsport. Mark Shallenberger singles to score Cole Russo, Riley Nelson singled to score Carter Dorighi, and McGwire Holbrook recorded a Sac Fly to score Lawson Knight to make it 12-2 going to the bottom of the ninth.

Mahoning Valley was able to take advantage of Cutters struggles out of the bullpen to plate two in the bottom of the ninth but Williamsport still walked away with the 12-4 victory.

Dalton Robinson earned his first win in his first start for Williamsport, allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits with two walks and three strikeouts over five innings of work.

Brett Thomas was first out of the bullpen, going two innings allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out three.

Daniel Barcena had a clean eighth inning but got into trouble in the ninth and had to be relieved by Michael Ciminiello. Barcena would go 1 1/3 innings allowing two runs, both earned, on no hits and two walks with two strikeouts. Ciminiello would go the final 2/3 of a inning, walking three and striking out two.

With tonight’s win, Williamsport improves to 18-7 in the first half of the MLB Draft League season and holds a five-game lead over second place State College with six games remaining in the half. Williamsport can clinch the first half championship tomorrow with a win and a State College loss to Frederick.

Williamsport and Mahoning Valley will wrap up this quick two game series on Sunday afternoon at Eastwood Field in Niles, Ohio. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.

Cutters Carvings - Carter Dorighi recorded his fifth game with three or more hits...Jackson Mayo his team high 20th RBI tonight...Williamsport is 7-1 against Mahoning Valley...