Roa, Others Contribute Big in Series Finale Win
WASHINGTON, PA – The Washington Wild Things [34-29] were able to salvage the final game of the three-game series on Thursday night against the Normal CornBelters [31-32] by a score of 10-6, thanks to a six-run eighth inning that helped secure the victory.
The win snaps Washington’s four-game losing streak, and helps keep the team still on the heels of the second wild-card spot for the Frontier League playoffs. The team entered Thursday’s game just 1.5 games back of the Windy City ThunderBolts [34-27] in the race.
Right-handed pitcher Chase Cunningham (7-1) started on the mound for the Wild Things, going 5.2 innings while allowing five earned runs on 10 hits while striking out just two CornBelters. The 10 hits are the second most Cunningham has allowed in a game this season.
The first three frames of the game were a pitching duel between Cunningham and right-handed pitcher Julio Vivas (5-4), the starter for Normal, who went six innings and allowed nine hits and four earned runs.
Scoring opened up in the fourth, when both teams were able to get multiple runs across the plate. In the top of the fourth, the CornBelters scored three earned runs, with a home run by the right fielder Jesus Solorzano being the first run of the game. In the bottom of the fourth, designated hitter Hector Roa for the Wild Things launched a two-run home run to bring the Wild Things within one, with Normal leading 3-2 after four innings of play.
In the fifth inning, designated hitter Nolan Meadows for Normal launched a two-run home run of his own to give the CornBelters a 5-2 lead headed to the middle of the inning. However, Washington right fielder James Harris was able to bring home a run in the bottom of the inning to make it 5-3 after five innings.
Headed to the bottom of the eighth inning with Normal leading 6-4, Washington exploded for six runs to help secure the win for the Wild Things. Starting the offense for the Wild Things in the inning was a double by third baseman Kenny Peoples-Walls to bring home one run and make the game 6-5 in favor of Normal. With the bases loaded, Harris singled to bring home two more runs and give Washington their first lead of the game. After catcher Kyle Reese scored on a wild pitch, Roa then launched a double to left center field to clear the bases and bring the game to its final score of 10-6 for the Wild Things.
Washington hits the road for six games starting tomorrow, when it battles the Gateway Grizzlies at 8:05 p.m.
