Wild Things Make Big Impact in All Star Game Win, Jackson Named MVP
JOLIET, Ill. - The Washington Wild Things had a big impact in determining the outcome of the 25th Frontier League All Star Game Wednesday evening. All five Wild Things’ position players reached base, all three pitchers threw scoreless innings, outfielder Bralin Jackson had two RBI and was named MVP and the Wild Things had a part in every one of the four East Division runs in the 4-1 victory.
The fun came before the game started, as two Wild Things, centerfielder Rashad Brown and catcher Kyle Pollock, found out they’d join first baseman Kane Sweeney and left fielder Bralin Jackson in the starting lineup for the East, on top of Trevor Foss pitching. It gave the team five of the nine players on the field for first pitch.
Wild Things’ ace Trevor Foss started the game and walked the lead-off batter. Foss would strike out two to get out of it, however, after getting a groundout. The lead-off runner made his way to third on two wild pitches, but did not score. Chase Cunningham then tossed a scoreless second, including inducing a ground-ball double play.
The scoring wouldn’t happen until the fourth, as the East had its inning led off by Sweeney, who doubled, and was driven in a batter later by Traverse City shortstop Will Kengor, who’s double made it 1-0 East. A few batters later, and after a Pollock base on balls, Brown singled in Kengor to extend the East’s lead to 2-0. It’d turn out to be the game-winning hit when all was said and done. The West got a run back in the fifth inning, but the East extended its lead to the final of 4-1 when Jackson, who’d later be named MVP after a 2-for-4 day at the plate, drove in a pair of runs with a two-out double to the right-center field wall.
Zach Strecker allowed a pair of baserunners but managed a scoreless eighth inning as the East shut the door down the stretch and won the game.
Here’s a breakdown of what the Wild Things’ players did in the game:
Trevor Foss - 1 IP, 1 BB, 2 K (scoreless first inning)
Chase Cunningham - 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB (scoreless second inning)
Zach Strecker - 1 IP, 2 H, 1 K (scoreless eighth inning)
Rashad Brown - 2-4 1 RBI (Game-Winning Hit, RBI)
Kane Sweeney - 1-2, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB
Bralin Jackson - 2-4 2 RBI, 1 2B, 2 K (MVP)
Kyle Pollock - 0-1 BB, caught five innings
Mike Hill - 0-1, HBP
The Wild Things resume regular-season action Friday, July 15, when they play host to the Windy City ThunderBolts at 7:05 p.m.
