Seven-Run First Inning Plagues Wild Things in Home Opener
WASHINGTON, Pa. (May 15) – The Washington Wild Things hosted the Gateway Grizzlies for their first home game of the season. The Wild Things dropped the home opener to the Grizzlies 8-5 after giving up seven runs in the first inning.
Washington (2-2) found themselves down early again due to some pitching struggles. Wild Things' pitchers gave up a combined seven runs in the inning. The first inning proved to be too much for starting pitcher Danny Garmendia as he only went one third of an inning and let up six runs to the Gateway (4-0) offense. Garmendia retired only one batter but recorded two strikeouts, with one of the batters reaching on a wild pitch on a dropped-third strike.
Recently acquired Mike Anthony came in to relieve Garmendia as Washington trailed 4-0 with two runners on and one out in the first. Anthony managed to pitch 2.2 innings and gave up two runs, one of which came in the seven-run first inning, as the other two that came in were charged to Garmendia.
Unlike the series against Evansville, the Wild Things struggled to generate offense early. Grizzlies' starting pitcher William Anderson only let up one run in his first five innings before starting to struggle in the sixth. Wild Things' centerfielder James Harris reached on a single and then designated hitter Mick Fennell laced a single of his own that moved Harris to third.
Washington’s attempted comeback began with the next batter as left fielder Roman Collins launched a three-run shot to right field that brought the Wild Things within four runs. The inning, however, ended with second baseman Carter McEachern grounding out to first base.
In the seventh, the comeback continued with the second batter of the inning: First baseman Reydel Medina hit a solo shot off the left-field foul pole. Unfortunately for Washington, this is where the scoring would stop for both teams.
The Wild Things' bullpen was strong over the final six frames of the game, as Trevor Bradley, Sam Mersing and Frank Trimarco combined to allow just one hit and two walks with five strikeouts.
The Wild Things are back in action tomorrow, May 16, to continue the series against Gateway. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Box Score: http://frontier.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscoretext.html?gameid=443544
AROUND THE FRONTIER LEAGUE
(times listed as local to the home team)
Lake Erie Crushers 2 def. Normal CornBelters 1
AVON, Ohio — After dropping their first two games of the season, the Crushers (2-2) moved to .500 with a win over Normal (1-3) in their home opener. A two-run homer by shortstop Kevin LaChance in the bottom of the third inning was all the scoring Lake Erie would need. Sean Renzi won his first start of the season, allowing just one earned run over five innings. For the CornBelters, Kevin Matthews (0-1) took the loss despite allowing only two runs over six frames. The teams will play the middle contest of their three-game set tomorrow morning at 11:05.
River City Rascals 7 def. Traverse City Beach Bums 0
O’FALLON, Mo.- The Rascals (1-2) scored all seven of their runs before the fifth inning, cruising to their first win. Pitcher Scott Grist (1-0) allowed just two hits over seven innings to earn his first victory of the season. River City and Traverse City will continue their three-game set tomorrow night at 6:35.
Windy City ThunderBolts 1 def. Florence Freedom 0
CRESTWOOD, IL— Eight innings of three-hit shutout baseball from Will Landsheft (1-0) and an RBI double from designated hitter Blair Beck were all the ThunderBolts (3-0) needed to remain perfect on the season. Also for Windy City, Devin Raftery picked up his second save of the campaign. For Florence (3-1), Jordan Kraus fell to 1-1 despite allowing just one earned run over 6.2 innings. The middle contest of the three-game set will be Wednesday morning at 10:35.
Schaumburg Boomers 9 def. Southern Illinois Miners 4
SCHAUMBURG, IL— A 4-4, three-RBI performance by right fielder Clint Hardy propelled the Boomers (1-3) to their first win. Also contributing offensively for Schaumburg were third baseman Kenny Towns and catcher James Keller, who each went 2-3 and combined for two RBI and three runs scored. Joe Hauser (1-0) picked up the win, while Billy Griffin (0-1) took the loss. The three-game series will continue Wednesday morning at 11.
Evansville Otters 6, Joliet Slammers 3
JOLIET, IL— The Slammers’ (0-3) home opener was tied at three after five innings, but a run in the sixth and two more in the seventh moved Evansville (2-2) to .500 and kept Joliet winless in 2018. Austin Nicely (1-0) picked up his first win of the year after going five innings, while Mitchell Aker got his second save. The second of a three-game set will take place Wednesday morning at 10:05.
