Wild Things Punch Ticket to Playoffs With Rubber-Game Win
SAUGET, Il. (Aug. 27) – Behind a run-scoring single by Miles Simington in the ninth, Washington took a tight rubber game against the Gateway Grizzlies, 5-4, to clinch a spot in the 2026 Frontier League playoffs and kept their Central lead at three games.
The night started with Gateway grabbing two runs off righty Drew Stegura in the first inning with the help of a controversial balk call and an RBI single. The joy for the Grizzlies didn’t last long, as Washington struck back immediately.
Anthony Brocato clubbed a solo homer to left center in the second inning, his 32nd homer of the year, breaking a tie with Jacob Dempsey (31, 2009) for the single-season club record. Brocato added to his night with an RBI single in the third inning, tying things at 2-2 and Washington took the lead on an RBI triple by Billy Sullivan in the fourth.
Gateway took the lead with a two-run fifth against Stegura, who ended up with a no decision. In the sixth, Sullivan poked home Wagner Lagrange, who doubled to start the frame, with a single to left, making it 4-4.
Caleb Ketchup singled to start the ninth and was bunted to second by Kyle Edwards. Sullivan reached on a fielder’s choice as Ketchup reached at third on a drop of a throw to third and scored on the Simington single that ricocheted off the leg of pitcher Julio Ortiz and caromed into right field.
The bullpen was sharp in the win. Jack Brodsky worked a scoreless sixth inning including inducing a double play ball with the bases full to get out of the inning. Colt Anderson retired all four batters he faced, and Mack Anglin got the final two outs of the eighth before working a clean ninth with a strikeout to clinch the playoff spot and series.
The Wild Things will finish their road trip in Florence this weekend against the Y’alls, who currently occupy the second Wild Card spot in the Frontier League’s Midwest Conference playoff race. The division lead over Evansville stays at three games, as Evansville blanked Schaumburg Thursday night.
First pitch of Friday’s series opener at Thomas More Stadium is slated for 7:03 p.m.
Playoff tickets for the Wild Card round are on sale now by clicking here and are $5 apiece. Washington, if it wins the Central, will host Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12 (if necessary) in the best of three. If they get in as a wild card team, the Wild Things will host Wednesday, September 9.
The team’s $50 pack of six undated regular season ticket vouchers and card for one ticket to every home playoff game is available still for purchase here.
The 24th season of Wild Things baseball in the MLB-partnered Frontier League is underway with more great baseball and entertainment to come. For updates, other information and more, visit washingtonwildthings.com or follow the team on social media at facebook.com/WashingtonWildThings or @WashWildThings on other platforms.
Go Wild at washingtonwildthings.com.
