Wild Things Win Series, Set Up Potential Sweep With 3-1 Win
WASHINGTON, Pa. (May 26) -The Washington Wild Things improved their record to 8-6 with a 3-1 victory over the Florence Freedom Saturday evening. With the win, the Wild Things clinched a series win and set up a potential series sweep if the team can take the finale tomorrow against the Freedom.
In his third start of the season, Danny Garmendia went 5.1 innings giving up three hits, three walks and only one earned run. This was a great improvement compared to his last two starts in which he went a third of an inning and 3.1 innings, respectively.
The beginning of this game started out as a pitching duel between both Garmendia and Freedom starter Christian DeLeon (0-1). Both retired the first three batters they faced and showed exceptional control throughout the duration of their starts, walking just four total batters between the two of them.
Florence (8-6) drew first blood in the top of the fourth when center fielder Andre Mercurio scored on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Craig Lepre.
The Wild Things answered in the bottom of the fourth when catcher Kyle Pollock hit a two-run shot to left field, his fourth of the year. The homer was prefaced by left fielder Roman Collins getting walked and Pollock’s homer gave the Wild Things a 2-1 advantage.
In the bottom of the seventh, Washington continued to pad the lead when third baseman Mike Hill was hit by a pitch and advanced to first. Shortstop Justin Bohn then reached on a fielder’s choice. Center fielder James Harris subsequently added to the run total by smacking an RBI double to left field that scored Hill to give the Wild Things a 3-1 lead. After the run scored, Florence made a pitching substitution and Patrick McGrath would finish out the inning.
In the ninth, Zach Strecker looked to convert his fifth save while the Freedom looked to make a comeback. After retiring the first batter, Strecker gave up a single and hit a batter to put the tying run on base. Strecker, however, was able to work himself out of it and completed the save for the 3-1 Washington victory.
The Wild Things will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 5:35 p.m. and an opportunity at a sweep is at hand for the Wild Things.
