FLDS Game 2 Primer - vs Lake Erie Crushers
WASHINGTON, Pa. (Sept. 7) - The Washington Wild Things continue their 2024 playoff journey and odyssey to a Frontier League title tonight with a 1-0 series lead against the Lake Erie Crushers in the 2024 West Division FLDS. The best of three set could end tonight with a Wild Things win. If Lake Erie wins, the series goes to a deciding game three tomorrow at 5:35 p.m. at Wild Things Park.
The nine-time division champion Wild Things won game 1 Thursday in Avon by a 2-0 final, grabbing excellent pitching from Kobe Foster, Christian James and Gyeongju Kim in the win. Foster logged a quality start with seven dominant, shutout frames. He allowed just three hits before James and Kim worked the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, both setting down Lake Erie in order. Foster punched out six, James fanned two and Kim got one on strikes. Kobe received the win and Kim the save.
Also in the first game of the series, Ricardo Sanchez notched three of Washington's seven hits, a night that included two doubles and the only scoring swing of the night, a second-inning, two-run single that scored Brandon McIlwain and Ethan Wilder, capping a three-batter swing where McIlwain, Wilder and Sanchez all got hits against Lake Erie starter and Game 1's losing pitcher, Anthony Escobar. Tyreque Reed also had two singles in the win in an otherwise well-pitched series opener on both sides.
With the series shifting to a sold-out Wild Things Park, righty Zach Kirby will look to pace the Wild Things to what has a chance to be a night where Washington advances to the Frontier League Championship Series. Game 2 is slated for 7:05 p.m. tonight.
Kirby will make his Frontier League Playoff debut tonight in Game 2 and his sixth career start against the Crushers. Kirby was 10-4 this season with a 2.42 ERA, which finished third in the Frontier League. THe right hander won his final six decisions of the season including wins in three-straight starts to end the season, two of which came against Lake Erie. He made quality starts in six straight to end the season as well. Over his two seasons now, Kirby is 3-1 in six career games against Lake Erie. He's logged 32 innings and allowed 22 hits, nine runs (eight earned) with 37 strikeouts and six walks.
It'll be lefty Jack Eisenbarger for Lake Erie, who was an anchor alongside Game 1 starter Anthony Escobar for the Lake Erie rotation all year. In his first season with the team and fourth in pro ball (2021-2023 with Gary - American Association), Eisenbarger spun a no hitter, was a midseason All Star and went 8-4 with a 2.91 ERA in 19 starts. The southpaw logged 111.1 innings and struck out 111 to 47 walks. He surrendered 84 hits, 43 runs, 36 of which were earned and hit seven batters. He made one start against Washington and got the win on July 23 at Wild Things Park. In that start, Eisenbarger went six innings and allowed five hits and three runs with three walks and three punchouts.
Game 2 will either send the Wild Things to the FLCS or Lake Erie will force a third game. It all hangs in the balance. In the East, two-time defending champion Québec is on the brink, following a walk-off walk for Ottawa in Game 1 at home.
You can watch the game with a subscription to FloBaseball or listen for free on the Wild Things' MixLR channel. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. ET. Physical seats for the game are sold out and patrons will be turned away once standing room tickets sell out as well. SRO tickets are available for purchase for $5 at the box office or by calling 866-456-WILD. SRO tickets cannot be purchased online.
