WILLIAMSPORT – Ryan Rivera’s two-run single in the third helped give the State College Spikes an early lead before the Williamsport Crosscutters surged in the seventh to capture a series-winning 6-5 decision on Thursday night at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field.

Rivera added a pair of outstanding defensive plays at second to his big hit, which combined with Landen Johnson’s RBI single in the first and Merik Carter’s run-scoring groundout in the fourth to build a 4-3 advantage for the Spikes (6-9) after four innings.

However, the Crosscutters (11-6) put a pair of runners on in the seventh as Carlos Castillo took a one-out walk and Armani Newton was hit by a pitch. Following a successful double steal, a balk scored Castillo to tie the game. Two batters later, former Spike Matthew Bardowell laced a two-run single to left-center field to bring in the go-ahead runs.

State College cut the margin on Dylan Lapointe’s RBI triple down the right field line in the eighth to score Camden Ross, but could get no closer.

Roman Kimball, the reigning MLB Draft League Pitcher of the Week, started for the Spikes and allowed three runs, two of them earned, while striking out three batters over a season-long four innings. Aidan Lee (0-2) took the loss in relief for State College.

Williamsport reliever Ryan Faulks (1-0) retired all nine batters he faced, one via strikeout, to earn the win for the Crosscutters. Jed Boyle (3) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning with one strikeout to earn the save.

Johnson extended his on-base streak to 11 games for the Spikes.