This was the result of the Williamsport Crosscutters' campaign, which converted two consecutive last-place finishes in the MLB Draft League in recent years into an amazing first half of the season in 2024.

Before Thursday's series finale against the Trenton Thunder, Williamsport has a 20-7 record and has already secured the first half of the MLB Draft League title for the first time in franchise history.

Williamsport secured the first-half championship with a win over Trenton on Tuesday.

But even more astonishing was how dominant Williamsport was. After the conclusion of the first half on Saturday, Williamsport holds a 5 1/2 game lead, which, if it holds, would set the league record for the largest lead in MLB Draft League history. After 27 games played, Williamsport's longest losing streak is two: an unusual two-game sweep at the behest of the Frederick Keys.

DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette The Williamsport Crosscutters have fun in the team dugout before a recent game against the State College Spikes at Bowman Field.

In fact, the 20-4 record this season, when including both series against Frederick and Williamsport, is even more telling, sweeping the competition from start to finish.

How does that happen? How can a league that focuses on developing individual players sustain a team that consistently outperformed the competition?

Surprisingly, a similar response was found around the clubhouse.

“I mean, it must be the chemistry,” said Williamsport ace Zachary Murray. “After Day 1 and Day 2, we brought guys together. You would never think that guys from all states, all over the country, would come together. We play for each other, and it's incredible.”

It's not hard to see that camaraderie is one of this ballclub's strengths. If you look at the Williamsport team bench before a game, you'll see the guys laughing, joking around and cheering each other on as they get ready for a game.

While the opposing team's bench may appear calmer and more composed, Williamsport's appearance is reminiscent of guys who play for the love of the game and are largely unaware of the enormous stakes that can come their way in this league.

After just a few weeks of the season, it felt like the group had been playing together for several years.

“I concentrate on making it fun. Hard work, but fun. We play easy,” said Williamsport manager Ryan Hanigan, who made his managerial debut with the Cutters in June.

“I know these guys love each other,” repeated Hanigan. “They play together. They've all made friends. They're all having a lot of fun. They come to the yard early, they want to be here. I think that contributes a lot.”

Of the 2023 Cutters, only one club member remained to witness this success: pitching coach Anthony Markle.

Reflecting on the changes from past to present, Markle shows that the camaraderie of the clubhouse is just one example of its effectiveness.

“These guys understand what it means to be a professional,” said Markle after winning the first half title on Tuesday. “They have good routines. They came here and learned how to make their routines better and better.”

The Cutters seemed to get better and better as the season went on. At bat, Williamsport leads the league in batting average (.273) and OPS (.761) and ranks second with 60 extra-base hits, despite playing fewer games than anyone else in the league.

And on the mound, things have only gotten better. In the last 10 games, Williamsport leads the MLB Draft League in ERA (2.93) and batting average allowed (.202).

“They figured out how to go from college to playing in a professional, everyday environment,” added Markle. “That’s the biggest difference.”

After Thursday's home finale against Trenton, Williamsport will cap the first half of the season with a two-game matchup at West Virginia. The Cutters will dominate in the second half next Thursday when they host the Frederick Keys in a crucial four-game matchup to start the new season.