Big Deficit Erased By Eight-Run Fifth Inning in Wild Things Series-Clinching Win

EVANSVILLE, In. (May 13) - For the second consecutive game, the Wild Things dug themselves an early hole in Evansville, Indiana. After falling in game two of the series last night, Washington fell behind 7-1 after three innings of Sunday's series finale against the Otters. The difference in the rubber game from the night before, was a big inning for the Wild Things. The team sent 14 batters to the plate, with the first 11 reaching base, in the process of scoring eight runs on eight hits to take a 9-7 lead, in what turned out to be enough in a 12-7 final Sunday.

The eight hits are the most in an inning for the Wild Things in two seasons, and the eight-run outburst is the most runs scored by the team since a nine-run inning in a game during the 2017 season versus Traverse City. Catcher Kyle Pollock and third baseman Mike Hill singled to start the inning before shortstop Brett Marr connected with his first Wild Things' hit, an RBI double scoring Pollock to make it 7-2. Centerfielder James Harris then continued his hot start at the dish by doubling home two more, to cut the Otters' lead to three.

Following the Harris double, designated hitter Mick Fennell doubled to the left field wall, moving Harris to third, as he waited to see the ball down before taking off. Left fielder Roman Collins was walked on four pitches by Evansville starter Tyler Vail, and he was lifted from the game. Second baseman Carter McEachern welcomed reliever Randy Wynne to the game by doubling home two more runs to bring the deficit to one. Right fielder Hector Roa then singled home two more to give Washington the lead before coming home himself on a run-scoring single by Reydel Medina.

The Wild Things added two runs in the seventh on Kyle Pollock's second home run of the season, a two-run shot to left. Roa tripled to start the ninth and scored on a groundout by Medina to finish the scoring for Washington.

Ryan Castellanos started for the Wild Things and surrendered seven runs in three innings before being lifted for Aaron Burns, who tossed four scoreless, getting the win.

Kyle Pollock paced the Washington offense with a 3-for-3 day, three RBI and two walks.

The team returns home to battle the Gateway Grizzlies Tuesday in the home opener for the Wild Things. Danny Garmendia will take the hill at 7:05 p.m.

Box Score: http://frontier.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscoretext.html?gameid=443543 

AROUND THE FRONTIER LEAGUE

MARION, IL. – Lake Erie Crushers 5 def. Southern Illinois Miners 3

After dropping its first two games of the season, Lake Erie (1-2) salvaged its series finale with Southern Illinois (2-1). The Crushers offense had success against Miners starting pitcher Geno Encina, scoring all five of their runs before Encina departed after the fifth inning. Southern Illinois rallied for three runs in the bottom half of the fifth, but three Lake Erie relievers held the Miners scoreless the rest of the way. Juan Perez (1-0) won his first start of the season, allowing three runs—two earned— over five innings, while Encina (0-1) suffered the loss. Lake Erie will begin a two-game series at home against the Normal CornBelters (1-2) Tuesday morning at 11:05, while Southern Illinois has a three-game set with the Schaumburg Boomers (0-3) that starts Tuesday night at 6:30.

Gateway Grizzlies 5 def. Schaumburg Boomers 1

SCHAUMBURG, Il.— Gateway (3-0) completed a three-game sweep of Schaumburg behind a stellar pitching performance from Max MacNaab (1-0). Over six innings, MacNaab allowed just one run on four hits while walking one and striking out seven to pick up his first win of the season. For the Boomers, Payton Lobdell (0-1) suffered the loss despite giving up just two runs over 5.1 frames. First baseman Trae Santos hit his first home run of 2018 in the bottom of the fourth to give Gateway a 2-1 lead, and the Grizzlies added three more runs in the top of the sixth. Gateway will look to continue its hot start in Washington when it begins a three-game set with the Wild Things Tuesday night at 7:05.

Traverse City Beach Bums 5, Normal CornBelters 4

Normal, Il . — The Beach Bums (2-1) took the rubber match of their opening series in come-from-behind fashion, scoring three times in the top of the eighth inning to take a 5-4 lead. Infielder Kenny Peoples-Walls led the way for Traverse City offensively, going 2-4 with a home run and three RBI. Kris Goodman picked up his first win of the season in relief, allowing an earned run over 1.1 innings, while Matt Williams got the save. For the CornBelters, Jose Savinon took the loss, allowing three earned runs over just one third of an inning. Traverse City will continue its road trip starting a three-game series with the River City Rascals Tuesday night at 6:35.