Cunningham, Offense Shine in Series-Opening Victory Friday
WASHINGTON, Pa., June 16 – The Washington Wild Things [17-14] defeated the Evansville Otters [15-16] in the opening game of their three-game series at Wild Thing Park on Friday night by a score of 5-2, with each team amassing seven hits in the game.
On Firework Friday, the Wild Things provided some fireworks of their own during the game. First baseman Kane Sweeney and right fielder Hector Roa both hit solo home runs, in the fourth and sixth innings respectively, to help the Wild Things topple the Otters in game one. Washington also took advantage of a passed ball and a sacrifice fly in the winning effort. The fifth run for Washington scored on an eighth-inning, base-loaded walk issued to left fielder Kenny Peoples-Walls.
Also having a big game for Washington was third baseman Mike Hill, who was 2-4 in the game. Sweeney, meanwhile, improved his average on the season to .380 while also walking twice in the game.
Right-handed pitcher Chase Cunningham (4-0) went seven innings for Washington, while allowing just five hits and two earned runs and struck out five. Right-handed pitcher Zach Strecker earned his fifth save of the year after tossing two innings of scoreless baseball to close the game.
The Wild Things and Otters will resume their weekend set tomorrow, Saturday, June 16, when the two teams meet at 7:05 p.m. Max Duval will go for Evansville while Washington’s starter is to be announced.
