Collins' 11th Inning Walk-Off Double Gives Wild Things Fourth-Straight Victory
WASHINGTON, Pa. (July 31) - The Washington Wild Things started off their current six-game home stand with a 4-3 extra-inning victory over the Normal CornBelters thanks to a two-out, two-RBI double off the bat of left fielder Roman Collins. The drive was Collins' fourth hit of the evening as the team edged out its fourth-straight win.
Starting pitcher Michael Austin (0-2) delivered in his second start against Normal this season, tossing seven innings in which he gave up two runs. Recently acquired reliever Kellen Croce (2-0) picked up the victory on the mound. He was backed up by an offense that combined for 12 hits and four runs over 11 innings.
Washington (37-30) cashed in on one of its 12 hits to open up the scoring when catcher Kyle Pollock knocked in designated hitter Reydel Medina to make it 1-0 in the third inning.
Normal (33-31) mounted its comeback two innings later with a leadoff double by catcher Cody Erickson. Erickson would cross the plate one batter later when third baseman Michael Baca doubled to center. Later in the inning shortstop Santiago Chirino knocked in Baca to take the lead 2-1.
The Wild Things then started a comeback of their own in the bottom of the seventh when right fielder Hector Roa hit a sacrifice fly to score Collins to tie the game 2-2.
With a tie ballgame in the bottom of the ninth, the Wild Things were not able to muster any runs as Collins was caught stealing for the first time all season for the final out of the inning.
With two outs in the bottom of the 10th, third baseman Mike Hill presented Washington with an opportunity to secure the victory by blasting a stand-up triple to right-center field. The Wild Things were not able to cash in on Hill’s effort however, as Pollock struck out looking for the third out.
The top of the 11th signaled the international tie-breaker rule where the offense gets to place a runner on second base to start the inning. Although the Wild Things were able retire the runner, Cody Erikson, the CornBelters were still able to plate a run making 3-2 in their favor.
The bottom half of the frame brought a similar situation for Washington with Pollock on second to start the inning. Second baseman Carter McEachern led off the inning and was able to push Pollock to third on a 6-3 putout. The CornBelters then intentionally walked first baseman Conner Simonetti to bring up shortstop Brett Marr. Marr was hit by the pitch, which loaded the bases for the Wild Things. After centerfielder James Harris struck out, Collins came to the plate and delivered his fourth hit of the night, a two-run double, to bring in Pollock and pinch-runner Ryan Cox to secure the walk-off victory.
Chase Cunningham is on the mound for game two of the series against Normal tomorrow evening. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
