NILES, Ohio - The Williamsport Crosscutters jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning but could not hold on as they fell to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 7-4 in the series opener at Eastwood Field on Tuesday night.
Carlos Castillo got the offense started as he was hit by a pitch from the leadoff position, stole second, moved up to third on a Ryan Kennell groundout and scored on a Joey Parliment Sac Fly.
The Cutters would use the momentum of Castillo's run to get into the hits column as Matt Flaherty would single in his first at-bat in a Cutters uniform and advance to third on a Matthew Bardowell double. Michael Zarrillo would drive in both Flaherty and Bardowell with a single to right.
Max Mandler, making his return to Williamsport after playing for the Cutters in the 2024 First Half, would single as well before Matt Ilgenfritz would work a walk to load up the bases for Amman Dewberry. Dewberry would single to score Zarrillo but Mandler would be put out at the plate 9-3-2 to end the inning and ultimately the Cutters scoring for the rest of the night.
Two Crosscutters recorded multi-hit games. They were Michael Zarrillo (2 for 5) and Christian Reyes (2 for 3), who entered in place of starting catcher Matt Flaherty in the second inning. Matthew Bardowell recorded the only extra-base hit of the night for the Cutters with his double in the first.
Connor Markham, making likely his final start for Williamsport in the first half, went the first three innings allowing three runs on two hits with five walks and three strikeouts.
Jonny Lowe took the loss in relief, falling to 0-1, after four and a third innings that saw four runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
Jared Ure would enter from the bullpen to go the final two-thirds of an inning clean, striking out one.
With tonight’s loss, Williamsport falls to 12-14 and their losing streak extends to seven straight, having failed to secure a win in the month of July.
The Cutters and Scrappers will continue this three-game series on Wednesday morning with a special 11:05 a.m. first pitch time at Eastwood Field.
Cutters Carvings - Williamsport has 2 for 9 with runners in scoring position tonight and left twelve on base... Williamsport has been outscored 76-18 in the month of July... Williamsport now trails State College and West Virginia by 2.5 games in the MLB Draft League First Half standings with four games remaining...
