Despite Eighth-Inning Lead, Washington Falls at Lake Erie
AVON, Ohio – The Washington Wild Things (18-16) fell to the Lake Erie Crushers (14-21) in the second game of a three-game, road set in Avon, Ohio, Wednesday. Lake Erie scored four runs in the home eighth and held on to win 6-3.
Chase Cunningham started the game for the Wild Things and pitched his way to a no decision after tossing 5.1 innings of two-run ball. He gave up three hits and walked two, while he struck out four. Peyton Lobdell pitched six innings in his start for Lake Erie and gave up three runs and struck out seven, earning a no decision.
The Crushers started the scoring in the second, scoring two runs in the home second. Connor Oliver doubled home a run and Josh McAdams scored on a sacrifice fly by Tanner Lubach.
Washington got a run back in the third on an infield single by outfielder Rashad Brown that scored catcher John Fidanza. The Wild Things, after two scoreless innings, picked up two and the lead in the top of the sixth. The first run came in on a triple by left fielder Bralin Jackson, which plated Brown. The second came in on a double by first baseman Kane Sweeney. With the double, Sweeney extended his on-base streak to 30 games.
The Wild Things took a 3-2 lead to the bottom of the eighth. Two one-out singles off left-handed reliever Vince Apicella, brought in Trevor Bradley. Following a walk, Cody Lenahan singled in a pair, giving Lake Erie a 4-3 lead. After a defensive error and a strike out, Lubach delivered again, plating two, insurance runs with a double, giving Lake Erie its 6-3, which was the final score.
Seth Lucio got the win in relief for Lake Erie while Apicella was charged with the loss. Pitching a scoreless ninth, right-hander Chandler Jagodzinski notched his ninth save.
The Wild Things and Crushers will play the finale of the series, a rubber match, tomorrow at Sprenger Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
