The Williamsport Crosscutters opened their 2010 NY-Penn League season last night, hosting the State College Spikes. The all-Pennsylvania match-up featured the respective short-season teams of the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Crosscutters won the game 5-3 pretty much on the strength of two home runs by outfielder Domingo Santana. His first homer, in the fourth, was a two-run shot to deep right center that put the 'Cutters up 4-2. That was an impressive hit, but his second one, in the seventh, was electrifying. The sound of the bat told the story. The only question was how far the ball would go. Whatever its final distance, it was over the left field wall and gone in an instant. Wow! Santana went three for three on the night, with two homers and a double. He also took a pitch in the ribs. He was a bit of an adventure in right field but the guy can hit. On the Spikes' side, the wonderfully-named Gift Ngoepe showed some dazzling moves at second and a likable propensity to steal.Historic Bowman Field was a sweet place to be last night. All kinds of people were out at the park, enjoying the good weather and the hometown team. The opening series continues tonight in State College, then resumes tomorrow back in Williamsport. Road work turned what should have been a 2.5-hour drive to Williamsport into four hours. If not for that, I might think about driving out to State College for part two.
