Williamsport, Pa. - For those attending in-person and those watching around the world on ESPN, tonight’s game featured the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals and the spotlight shined bright on the twenty Little League World Series teams watching from the stands. But, for those with their roots firmly planted here in Billtown, tonight’s game at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field carried a different meaning as six former Williamsport Crosscutters players and one former manager made their return to where their professional careers began.

The elder statesman of the group making the trip, even though he is currently on Injured List, was 2014 Crosscutters star Rhys Hoskins, who was ecstatic to be welcomed back to Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field by the one and only Director of Smiles, Rhashan West-Bey.

Seeing action in tonight’s game were two first round draft selections by the Phillies that spent time in Williamsport, second baseman Bryson Stott and third baseman Alec Bohm.

Bohm, a 2018 member of the Williamsport Crosscutters, went 1-4 with a single in the ninth inning and scored the first of three Phillies runs in the ninth inning. He also suffered one strikeout at the plate.

Stott, a 2019 member of the Williamsport Crosscutters, went 0-3 with a walk in his return to Williamsport.

Phillies starting pitcher, 2016 New York-Penn League All-Star and 2016 Crosscutters Pitcher of the Year Ranger Suarez was originally scheduled to be the Philadelphia starter, but his start was pushed back prior to the game.

Closer Seranthony Dominguez, another 2016 member of the Williamsport Crosscutters, did not get an opportunity out of the bullpen as the Nationals led from wire to wire.

Not seeing action off the bench for the Phillies was Johan Rojas, a 2019 member of the Williamsport Crosscutters who appeared in 42 games that season in Billtown.

In addition to the players on the field, one former Crosscutters manager made his return to Williamsport as well. Phillies Third Base Coach Dusty Wathan was back in the coaches box that he started his professional career in, leading the 2008 Williamsport Crosscutters to a 38-37 record that season.

For those who only see Major League stars on the field, they saw a 4-3 victory by the Washington Nationals over the Philadelphia Phillies. But, for those Crosscutters fans in attendance on a warm August night at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field… They saw the proof that it really does all begin in Billtown, and sometimes it all returns to Billtown as well.

The MLB Little League Classic returns to Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field again in 2024 as the Detroit Tigers will play host to the New York Yankees on Sunday, August 18th, 2024. That game will be broadcast as always on ESPN as part of ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. Further information on the 2024 edition of the MLB Little League Classic can be found by clicking here.