WILLIAMSPORT - After Friday night's loss to Jamestown, Williamsport's third consecutive, a long line formed at the shower, with what looked like a group of players eager to start their night.
A clearly frustrated manager in Andy Tracy, who had hoped the Cutters lack of consistent play was behind them, simply looked up and made an observation as he pointed out the long line after a loss.
Since the disappointing night, Williamsport has returned to its pre-All-Star break form. And used that form in Monday's contest against State College to claim a 6-4 win at Bowman Field.
The win, the Cutters third straight, should help Williamsport as it now departs for a six-game road trip starting today in Jamestown.
Tracy's fire, which helped spark a three-game winning streak to end the homestead, continued into Monday's contest, but might have reached its high after a few questionable calls led to a State College run in the third.
"I wanted to them to get in the game a little bit," Tracy said of the umps. "My guys were playing their butts off and I wanted them to let the kids play and call the plays they were seeing. That's it."
Not agreeing with the call, Tracy confronted the base umpire and was tossed as a result.
The Cutters, though, rallied behind their manager, and overcame a two-run deficit in the seventh to secure the team's third straight win.
"It was good defense, pitching and situational hitting," Tracy said. "The offense has shown the potential that had many at the beginning of the year thinking it might be playoff bound.
"We've always seen potential in this roster," Tracy said. "It's just them learning the game and taking what they are given. As long as they know who they are they are going to be good."
From the lead-off spot, Roman Quinn has produced. He has reached on seven of his last nine plate appearances, and has converted all four of his stolen base attempts over that stretch.
In Monday's contest, Quinn was beaned twice and singled once, finishing a 1 for 3 day scoring twice and stealing two bases.
And as Quinn setup the batters after him, both Cameron Perkins and Chris Serritella took control from the third and fourth spot, respectively. Perkins finished going 3 for 3 with and RBI and run scored.
"It's huge for us," Serritella said of the batters in front of him. "When Quinn gets on base he's always a threat to steal to get him in scoring position."
Serritella was just as impressive, and connected with two-RBI single in the seventh to help the Cutters retake the lead.
"Perkins did a great job going 3 for 3 with three singles," Serritella said. "They definitely set the table, and I was able to get a few good pitchers and took advantage of it."
Jiandido Tromp opened the bottom of the seventh with a single and was batted in by a Quinn RBI single. After a strikeout by Kyle Hoppy, Perkins drew a five-pitch walk to setup Serritella's two-RBI single.
"That's why they hit in the middle of the line-up," Tracy said. "That's why they get paid to do what they do."
