Williamsport, Pa. – Ben Tryon’s 8th inning Grand Slam capped a 10-run frame as the Cutters handed the Ironbirds a 17-1 loss, running their current home win streak to 10-straight.
In what appeared to be a pitcher’s duel at the start, Brett Antolick set the tone for the Crosscutters by striking out the side in the top of the 1st. The East Carolina product retired the first nine batters he faced, striking out seven, before an lead off single in the top of the 4th saw Aberdeen get their first base runner.
Behind Antolick’s strong start, the Crosscutters were able to plate the games first run, as Ben Tryon legged out a lead off double on a ground ball to right. Tryon crossed on a first and third bases running play, giving the Cutters a 1-0 lead.
Aberdeen answered with the game tying run in the 4th inning against Antolick. Brett Antolick finished the night allowing one run on two hits. He struck out a season-high eight batters and did not allow a walk in the no decision.
Brendan Sweeney took over on the mound in the 5th inning and picked up where Antolick left off, retiring the Ironbirds in order, getting some fine defensive play to register all three outs in the frame.
Brodey Acres gave the Cutters their lead back in the 5th inning, reaching on an error that allowed Slaide Burd to score, making it 2-1. Tryon followed with his second double to plate Kyle Schupmann, to up the lead to 3-1.
Schupmann continued the Cutters offense in the 6th, singling home Burd with a two-out knock to center, to give Williamsport a 4-1 advantage.
Williamsport opened their lead in the 7th inning, as Tryon, Nick Barone and Owen Prince each collected an RBI a piece to give the Cutters a 7-1 lead.
Earning the win in relief, Sweeney was excellent. The Mississippi State product allowed one base runner over three innings, striking out two while not delivering a walk. The only base runner allowed came on a throwing error in the 6th.
The Cutters offense put the game to bed in the bottom of the 8th inning as they saw their first nine batters reach base safely. All nine would find their way home. Nate McHugh collected a two-run single. Prince walked in a run and Burd singled home another.
Tryon capped the scoring with a 387-foot grand slam to right field, his first home run of the season, making it 17-1 Williamsport. The blast gave the Dallas Baptist product his fourth hit, his third extra base hit and his sixth RBI of the game, all season-highs.
The Crosscutters gained a game on the Trenton Thunder and are now 1.5 games back heading into the weekend portion of this three-game set with Aberdeen. First pitch of game two is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. on Saturday night.
Cutters Carvings: The Cutters have now won 10-straight home games… Williamsport has scored 10+ runs in four of their last five games and each of their last three games against Aberdeen… The Cutters completed the team cycle hitting three doubles, two triples and a home run…
