Cutters cap homestand in demoralizing fashion, fall to Trenton by double digits

On top of being on the receiving end of seven straight scoreless innings, the Cutter defense didn’t do it many favors, surrendering 12 runs on 17 hits and hemorrhaging momentum in the fourth and eighth innings. Their homestand ended in demoralizing fashion, as they fell to the Thunder, 12-2.

“We got our (butts) kicked by a better team,” said Crosscutter manager Ryan Hanigan on the loss.

Starting pitcher Brent Francisco did a decent job through his first three innings from the mound, posting three straight scoreless innings to start and retiring the side in the first. But things briefly unraveled in the fourth and the Thunder took advantage.

After Francisco forced a pop out against Trenton leadoff batter Ryan Vogel to begin the inning, shortstop Santino Rosso responded by launching a deep fly ball into center field for a momentous double, kicking off a streak of five straight hits for the Thunder.

Starting pitcher Brent Francisco of the Crosscutters shouts as he gets a strike called on a Trenton player in the first inning at Journey Bank Ballpark. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Second baseman Chase Engelhard and right fielder Pete Durocher followed Rosso up with back-to-back singles, with Engelhard batting in Rosso and Durocher putting Trenton in a position to continue adding to its lead. Then, first baseman Hunter Dorraugh – a consistent thorn in Williamsport’s side – nailed the left field wall on a liner, resulting in a double, two runners in scoring position and another run.

From there, Andy Blake would cap the rally off with a two-RBI single to center field, as the Thunder finished the fourth inning with a 4-0 lead and turned a pitcher’s duel into a game of catchup.

Francisco would bounce back, allowing just one unearned run before his departure ahead of the seventh and finishing his day with three strikeouts to nine hits and zero walks. Pitching coach Anthony Markle didn’t see much issue with the performance, considering the struggles in the fourth inning situational.

“He kept getting into tough scenarios and making his pitches to try to get out of them. He just missed on a couple pitches today,” said Markle on Francisco. “He’s still obviously got strong stuff. He just missed a few today.”

But with its offense stifled and Trenton continuing to add to its lead, that effort wouldn’t steer it in the right direction. After a strong performance from its bullpen in Game One, it would allow at least one run in each of the last four innings.

Catcher Jacob Harper of the Crosscutters tries to make the play as Santino Rosso (20) of Trenton scores in the top of the 4th inning at Journey Bank Ballpark. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

The team would lose all hope at the tail end of a five-run explosion from the Thunder in the eighth, one which upped the deficit to 11-0 and was capped with a homer. Even with a Jacob Corson triple in the ensuing half getting a rise out of the crowd and helping the Crosscutters avoid their third shutout of the season, it wasn’t enough to make the loss sting less.

“You’re not always going to have the best situation every day. You’re not always going to have the best team every day, so we have to keep working and we have to take accountability and take as much under our control as possible,” said Markle. “There has to be a lot of very meaningful work.”

With the loss, Williamsport drops to 6-14 on the second half, falling to last place in the MLB Draft League standings after Frederick posted a win on Sunday. It now prepares for a massive, ten-game road stint, starting Monday at Frederick.

Game One of its three-game series against the Keys begins at 7 p.m. at Nymeo Field.

Josh Lopez of the Crosscutters tries to make the play on Jake Simons (10) of Trenton who is safe at first base during the third inning at Journey Bank Ballpark.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Mikey Florides of the Crosscutters forces out Jake Simons (10) of Trenton at second base at Journey Bank Ballpark. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Pitcher Drew Clark of the Crosscutters waits for play to resume as Jake Simons of Trenton circles the bases on a home run at Journey Bank Ballpark. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Kids run the field after the Crosscutters 12-2 loss to Trenton at Journey Bank Ballpark.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Jacob Corson of the Crosscutters races after a fly ball hit in the 4th inning at Journey Bank Ballpark.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette