Strong Pitching, Pivotal Ninth Lead to Series-Opening Win
CRESTWOOD, Il. (July 21) – With an Anthony Brocato run-scoring fielder’s choice, a Scotty Dubrule RBI groundout and a scoreless bottom of the ninth from Lukas Young who earned his seventh save, Washington snatched the series opener from the grasp of Windy City at Ozinga Field Friday night.
The Wild Things, for the sixth-straight game, saw their opponent strike first in what ended up being a well-pitched game. Ther ThunderBolts scored on a Peyton Isaacson RBI single in the home first.
Washington struck back in the second on a sac fly from JC Santini plating Robert Chayka, who had singled to start the frame. The Wild Things then scored to take a short-lived lead in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Chayka that scored Tristan Peterson. Peterson had tripled with one out.
The Bolts scored twice in the fourth on an RBI single by Dan Robinson and Troy Viola sac fly to take a 3-2 lead, which lasted until the ninth.
Windy City starter Garrett Christman allowed nine hits in his seven-inning start. Christman was tagged for two runs and posted four strikeouts. Washington starter Hayden Shenefield worked his fourth quality start of the nine he’s made for the Wild Things. He allowed five hits and three runs with two strikeouts. Christian James worked a scoreless seventh, Justin Goossen-Brown a scoreless eighth and Young the scoreless ninth in the win. Goossen-Brown got the win, going to 4-0.
Washington scored twice in the ninth on the aforementioned fielder’s choice and groundout to take and then hold the lead.
Another highlight was the debuting shortstop Carson Clowers, who posted a three-hit night, Washington’s only such night in the opener.
The series shifts to the middle game tomorrow at 7:05/6:05 p.m. CT from Ozinga Field. Justin Showalter will look to guide Washington to back-to-back series victories. He’ll be opposed by lefty Javier Reynoso for Windy City.
