O'Keefe Tosses Seven Scoreless, Offense Provides Spark in Series-Clinching Win
WASHINGTON, PA – The Washington Wild Things [23-17] have now won three games in a row – and six of their last eight – after a 6-1 win over the Traverse City Beach Bums [17-23] on Wednesday night.
Left-handed pitcher Brian O’Keefe (2-2) pitched his best game of the season, hurling seven innings of shut-out baseball, while allowing just two hits and striking out seven in the game. After right-handed pitcher Chase Cunningham’s performance last night in the first game of the series against Traverse City during a 4-0 win, the Wild Things’ starting rotation has gone 15 innings without allowing a run. Additionally, the combination of O’Keefe and Cunningham has allowed just seven hits while striking out 11 Beach Bums between the two games.
Washington was quick to get runs on the board after a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning by right fielder Hector Roa [5] that gave the Wild Things a 3-0 lead after one inning.
While the three runs from the first inning would be enough to put away the Beach Bums, the Wild Things also got offense from shortstop Justin Bohn in the fifth inning when he doubled to score catcher John Fidanza. Fidanza also came through in the sixth inning with a two-RBI double to make the score 6-0, which would last all the way to the final frame.
After reliever Vince Apicella pitched a scoreless eighth, left-handed pitcher Matt Sabel came in for the ninth inning, however, he allowed one run on two hits and a walk before being removed without recording a single out. Right-handed pitcher Davis Adkins was able to record the final three outs in the ninth inning to secure the win for Washington.
The Washington Wild Things and Traverse City Beach Bums conclude their series tomorrow afternoon, Thursday, June 29, at 7:05 p.m. at Wild Things Park. Cameron Stanton gets the nod for the Wild Things, while John Havird takes the mound for the Beach Bums.
