WILLIAMSPORT, PA (WBRE/WYOU)— The Williamsport Crosscutters celebrated a remarkable achievement on Wednesday night by clinching the 2026 MLB Draft League Championship. This victory not only secured the championship title but also marked the first time in league history that a team has won both regular season pennants and the postseason title.
The championship game took place at Historic Bowman Field, where the Crosscutters triumphed over the Aberdeen IronBirds with a final score of 5-3. The win capped off a dominant season for Williamsport, who previously claimed both the first and second half pennants, showcasing their consistent performance throughout the year.
In the title game, the IronBirds initially took control, scoring in the second inning when Brylan West hit a double that allowed Max Galvin to cross home plate. However, the Crosscutters quickly responded, turning the tide in the third inning. Chris Stanfield ignited the offense with an RBI single that brought Sam DeCarlo home, leveling the score at 1-1. Following Stanfield's hit, Jack Kail delivered a crucial double to right field, driving in both Stanfield and Joey DeMucci, which gave Williamsport a 3-1 lead.
The Crosscutters extended their advantage in the seventh inning. After Aberdeen's Taj Bates narrowed the gap with an RBI, Williamsport retaliated by scoring two more runs. Nick Romano's groundout scored James McCoy, and Nick Barone followed up with a single that brought in Matt Williams, pushing the score to 5-2.
Despite a valiant effort from the IronBirds, who saw Bates earn his second RBI of the game in the eighth inning, the Crosscutters maintained their lead. Matthew Mariano, a graduate of SUNY Albany, played a pivotal role in securing the championship, delivering 1.3 innings of scoreless relief to seal the victory for Williamsport.
Bobby Helt earned the win for the Crosscutters, showcasing his skills on the mound by striking out six batters over four innings while allowing only one run. Additionally, Josh Willitts contributed significantly by pitching 3.2 innings, setting the stage for Mariano's save.
Throughout the season, Williamsport demonstrated their prowess, finishing the first half with an impressive 20-7 record and concluding the second half at 27-19. Their overall record of 47-26 underscores their dominance in the league this year.
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