Wild Things Lose Despite Strong Effort From Their 7-8-9 Batters, Michael Austin
SCHAUMBURG, Il. (July 14) - The Wild Things dropped the finale of the series in tough fashion, 2-1, as the Things left 10 on and missed on some big opportunities to take the rubber game. Second baseman Brett Marr collected his second three-hit game of the season in the defeat.
Schaumburg, for the third-straight night, struck first, as the Boomers scored two in the sixth inning after five scoreless from Michael Austin, who started for the Wild Things. Gunnar Kines tossed six scoreless before the Boomers plated the game's first two runs. Nick Oddo's one-out sac fly made it 1-0 Schaumburg before Brock Carpenter doubled home a second run.
Washington answered immediately as the 7-8-9 hitters chased Kines from the game in the seventh with back-to-back-to-back singles. Ryan Cox drove home Brett Marr to make it 2-1. Schaumburg turned to Dylan Stutsman at that point to face the top of the Washington order. Blake Adams bunted the runners over to second and third for the first out, but the Wild Things' next two hitters made outs without either runner coming across.
Austin exited the game thereafter, having gone six innings. He allowed two runs on seven hits and walked two, both in the first inning. Austin fanned three Boomers. James Meeker came on and tossed a one-two-three seventh.
Stutsman logged a scoreless eighth before Meeker came back out for the home half and he set down all three he faced again with a strikeout. Connor Eller came on for the Boomers to try and close the game for his 11th save of the year and did so despite hitting Marr to start the frame. Drew Bene then reached on an error by Clint Hardy, as he simply dropped a fly ball that was routine to right. A failed sacrifice bunt was the first out before Adams punched out and Baranek lined to short to end it.
The Wild Things now turn their attention to a three-game series at home with the Windy City ThunderBolts in town starting Tuesday at Wild Things Park. First pitch of the series opener Tuesday is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
