Wild Things Plate 23 Runs, Tie Single-Game Franchise Record for Runs Scored to Complete Sweep
Washington earned its 15th win and completed its second sweep of the season in its 23-1 rout of Traverse City Thursday night. The 23 tallies recorded by the Wild Things tied the franchise record of most runs scored in a single game, which was set in June 2003.
The Wild Things' (15-9) offense started quickly in the first inning, plating a run after a scoreless top of the inning. Second baseman Carter McEachern roped a one-out double to the left field fence to start the bats and then advanced to third on a Roman Collins fly out to centerfield. Catcher Kyle Pollock brought McEachern in during the next at-bat on an RBI-single to center field to give Washington the 1-0 lead.
Traverse City (9-14) would answer in the top of the third inning to tie the game at one on a Reydel Medina error.
Washington would reclaim the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, making the score 2-1. Third baseman Mike Hill drove in Medina on a one-out, RBI-double that reached the left field warning track to give Washington the advantage—one it would not relinquish.
The Wild Things would then blow the game open in the fifth inning by scoring nine runs on seven hits and four walks to extend the lead to 11-1. Pollock went 2-2 in the inning with an RBI and McEachern added a two-RBI double.
Washington added six more runs to the board in the sixth frame on six hits. Center fielder James Harris highlighted the inning, launching a grand slam in the inning, his first of the season and his sixth homer overall.
The scoring onslaught carried into the bottom of the seventh as the team recorded its second straight six-run inning, scoring all of the runs on just one hit. The one hit came from Louis Mele, as he smacked a grand slam over the left field fence, his first home run of the season. The Wild Things had 34 plate appearances in the three frames.
The scoring halted after the six-run seventh by Washington, bringing the score to its final of 23-1.
The Wild Things were led offensively by Pollock, who went 4-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. In addition to the grand slams by Harris and Mele, McEachern added a 3-4 performance with two RBI and two runs. Third baseman Mike Hill had a pair of doubles and four total RBI.
Danny Garmendia (2-2) grabbed the win for Washington. He threw seven innings while allowing four hits, one unearned run, two walks, and struck out six.
Washington will now host Joliet for a three-game series while Traverse City (9-14) will travel back home to host Windy City for a three-game series.
