Aberdeen, Md. - Despite both out-hitting Aberdeen and scoring a run in all but two innings, the Williamsport Crosscutters were unable to overcome a fourth inning grand slam and would fall in the series opener to the IronBirds, 8-7, on Tuesday night at IBEW Local 24 Union Field at Ripken Stadium.

Williamsport wasted no time taking an early 1-0 lead in the first as Owen Prince led things off with a single to left on the first pitch of the ballgame and, two pitches later, scored thanks to the sixth double of the season by Nicholas Romano.

The second inning saw the Cutters get the lead-off man aboard and score as Chris Stanfield doubled, his fifth double of the year, stole third base, his 28th stolen base this year, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Sam DeCarlo to make it 2-0.

Aberdeen started to respond in the bottom of the second with the lead-off man scoring as well with Max Galvin blasting his sixth home run of the season to cut the Williamsport lead to 2-1 after two innings.

The Cutters scored again in the third in what could only be described as an interesting play. Nicholas Romano would lead off the frame reaching via a hit by pitch and moved to second on a James McCoy single. Matthew Williams would double to right in the next at-bat and both Romano and McCoy would attempt to score with McCoy just a step behind Romano. Romano would go into the plate standing, being tagged out. Taking advance of the lack of a slide, McCoy would dive between the legs of Romano and touch the plate to score before he could be tagged out, giving Williamsport a 3-1 lead in the middle of the third.

Williamsport would surrender the lead in the bottom of the third, allowing three Aberdeen runs to give the IronBirds a 4-3 lead.

The Cutters tied things back up in the fourth as with two outs, Sam DeCarlo would reach on a fielding error by IronBirds shortstop Jevin Relaford and move to second thanks to a single by the debuting Georgetown product, AJ Solomon, in a pinch-hit role. Nicholas Romano would follow up with a single of his own, scoring DeCarlo from second to tie the game at 4-4 in the middle of the fourth.

In the bottom of the fourth, Aberdeen would get the bases loaded on a walk, a single, and a hit by pitch, forcing Cutters manager Kenny Thomas to the bullpen. Tyler Muscar entered and surrendered a grand slam to the IronBirds' Isaiah Parido on the first pitch of his outing, putting Aberdeen back in front 8-4. That would be the final runs for Aberdeen of the ballgame.

The fifth inning would be the first inning without a Crosscutters run, but they would get back on track in the sixth.

Chris Stanfield led off the sixth with a line drive single, stole second and third for his 29th and 30th stolen bases of the season, and would score on a sacrifice fly for the second time in the game, this time off the bat of AJ Solomon.

Williamsport found another run in the seventh inning as Matthew Williams singled and moved to second on a wild pitch from Ryder Edward. This set up Williams to be driven home on a Trey Wells single to center field to close to within two runs of Aberdeen at 8-6 at stretch time.

Another run came Williamsport's way in the eighth with Sam DeCarlo getting a bunt single to reach from the lead-off spot, stole second, and advanced to third on a Nicholas Romano lineup to center. DeCarlo would score on a wild pitch by Nick Greaney to make it 8-7 Aberdeen heading to the final inning of play.

Chris Stanfield, representing the winning run, worked a two-out walk in the ninth, stole his fourth base of the game and 31st of the season to move to second, advanced on a wild pitch by Jake Geis to third, but would be left stranded as Nick Barone struck out swinging to end the ballgame with a final score of 8-7 in favor of Aberdeen.

Ryker Walton suffered the loss, falling to 3-2 on the season, allowing seven runs on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work.

Tyler Muscar, entering with the bases loaded, would give up the game-winning grand slam on his first pitch of relief but settled in to go the next 3.2 innings without allowing another hit, walking one and striking out five. Muscar would be charged for just one run on the grand slam with the rest charged to Walton.

Davin Pollard would struggle, only recording one out while walking two.

Brody Roe relieved Pollard and recorded two strikeouts to complete the game on the mound for Williamsport.

Williamsport continues this road series with the middle game of the set against the Aberdeen IronBirds on Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at IBEW Local 24 Union Field at Ripken Stadium.

Cutters Carvings: Williamsport out-hit Aberdeen 12-6 in the loss... Three Crosscutters recorded multi-hit nights: Chris Stanfield (3-for-4), Nicholas Romano (2-for-4), and Matthew Williams (2-for-5)... Williamsport went 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position and left ten on base in the loss...