Trenton, NJ - After falling behind 8-0 early, Team Manto (Williamsport Crosscutters, Trenton Thunder, Mahoning Valley Scrappers) rally back to tie Team Trembley (State College Spikes, Frederick Keys, West Virginia Black Bears) 11-11 in the inaugural MLB Draft League Prospect Game held at Trenton Thunder Ballpark.
Eleven members of Team Manto were representatives of the Williamsport Crosscutters, along with Cutters Manager Jesse Litsch being selected to serve as Pitching Coach for the game.
Offensively, Sean Smith had the best performance of those from Williamsport as he recorded a 3-3 night at the plate with three singles, an RBI and a run scored.
Ryan Ignoffo was 0-3 with a strikeout.
Joe Sullivan was 0-1 with a walk, a run scored, and a strikeout.
Stanley Tucker was 0-2.
Jacob Harper went 1-3 with an RBI.
Nate LaRue scored arguably the biggest run of the ballgame, tying the game at 11-11 with two outs in the Bottom of the 9th Inning. LaRue was 1-3 on the night with the tying run plus an RBI.
Williamsport pitching was also strongly represented on Team Manto. Jatnk Diaz was the first Cutters pitcher out of the bullpen to start the 2nd Inning but had a rough outing as he failed to record an out, allowing 6 runs, 4 earned, on 3 hits and 2 walks.
Titan Hayes was next out of the bullpen to take over from Diaz and was able to stop the bleeding as he went 1.0 innings, allowing 0 runs on 1 hit, no walks, and struck out one.
The next appearance of a Cutters pitcher would be in the 5th Inning as Jack Wenninger took over. Wenninger would work 1 inning, allowing 1 run, 0 earned, on 0 hits, 1 walk, and 1 strikeout.
The 7th Inning would see Tyler Kennedy enter from the bullpen, going 0.2 innings, allowing 0 runs on 1 hit, 0 walks, and 1 strikeout. Kennedy would be lifted after recording the second out in the 7th.
Jack Crowder would mark the final Williamsport player to appear in the Prospect Game, getting the call from the bullpen with one out in the 8th inning and a runner on first. Crowder would complete the eighth inning allowing a lead-off walk before stranding both runners and ending his time on the hill.
With the conclusion of the MLB Draft League Prospect Game, the first half of the 2023 MLB Draft League season has officially concluded. The Williamsport Crosscutters end the half with a record of 11-17, 9.0 games back of the First Half Champion Trenton Thunder. With the start of the second half on Friday, all team records start over at 0-0.
The Crosscutters will have an off-day to prepare for the start of the second-half before travelling to Frederick, Maryland to open a three-game road series with the Keys on Friday at 7:00pm.
Williamsport next returns to Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field on Tuesday, July 11th to begin a three-game series with the Trenton Thunder. It will be the 7/11 $25K Challenge presented by HOT 107.9, Topps Tuesday presented by Topps, BOGO Ticket Tuesday presented by GIANT, and Charitable Tuesday presented by Pennsylvania Skill by Miele Manufacturing.
Tickets for July 11th and all second half home games can be purchased in-person at the Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field Box Office, by phone at 570-326-3389, or online 24/7 at Crosscutters.com.
