Aaron Burns Earns First Professional Win in Series-Clinching Victory
WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington Wild Things [25-18] were winners once again Saturday night, defeating the Joliet Slammers [20-22] by a score of 2-1, despite being out hit 6-4 in the contest.
The Wild Things were able to clinch a series victory in game two, despite right-handed pitcher Zack Tillery (0-1) only going 2.1 innings in the start. Tillery would allow the lone run to the Slammers off one hit and three walks, but passed balls and wild pitches hurt the starter.
Scoring started in the first inning, when first basemen Kane Sweeney singled to score shortstop Justin Bohn and put the Wild Things up 1-0 after one inning of play. However, the game was evened up in the third inning when shortstop Chaz Meadows singled to score Joliet right fielder Ridge Hoopii-Haslam to make it a 1-1 ballgame after three innings.
Washington scored the go ahead run in the fourth inning, when Sweeney hit a RBI double to right-center field to score left fielder Bralin Jackson, and make the game 2-1, which was ultimately the final score.
Despite a poor offensive night for the Wild Things, right-handed pitcher Aaron Burns came out of the bullpen and pitched tremendously for Washington, throwing 4.2 innings of shutout baseball, while allowing four hits, no walks and striking out five. He earned the win, his first one in professional baseball. Zach Strecker pitched a scoreless final two innings to earn the save, which is the closer’s 10th of 2017.
The series with the Joliet Slammers concludes tomorrow night, Sunday, July 2, with first pitch at 5:05 p.m. Chase Cunningham (5-0) gets the start for Washington, while Luiz Cruz (3-1) will take the mound for Joliet.
