Midwest Finals Primer - Game 4
WASHINGTON, Pa. (Sept 19) – The Midwest Finals continue tonight after Washington’s 4-1, season-extending victory in Game 3 last night at EQT Park, as the Wild Things look to stave off elimination again in Game 4 against the Evansville Otters.
Last night, Drew Stegura was awesome over six innings, scattering five hits and a run with three walks and two strikeouts in his playoff debut, receiving the win. Michael O’Hanlon continued his strong series on the bump from the pen, logging another 2.1 scoreless, hitless innings. He walked a batter and fanned three. Landon Ginn got the final two outs of the game after allowing a pair of hits.
The Wild Things scored first in the third inning on a sac fly by Kyle Edwards plating Miles Simington, who had doubled to start the frame’s rally. They got two in the fourth on a single by Caleb Ketchup and a groundout by Antonio Monroy. An RBI double by Jeff Liquori made it 4-0.
So, the series shifts to Game 4 as Ottawa, the Atlantic Conference champion who was crowned last night, waits on its opponent.
The Wild Things will turn the ball over to Zach Kirby, who will make his third appearance and second start of the postseason, coming off allowing a three-run homer in relief Sunday in Game 3 of the Wild Card Round but he had made an excellent start in Game 1 at Florence going seven innings of one-run ball on two hits with seven strikeouts. Over his long and great Frontier League career, Kirby has started seven regular season games against Evansville and appeared in relief once, totaling 43 innings with 32 strikeouts and 13 walks. He pitched against Evansville twice this season, allowing four runs in five innings on May 13 at Bosse Field and going a quality start on August 18 at EQT Park.
Evansville will counter with what appears to be an opener in Dylan Zentko, a lefty who pitched in 19 games and made three starts during the regular season. Zentko sported a 3.18 ERA. He pitched against Washington in Evansville June 30 at Bosse Field going 2.1 innings with three hits allowed, two runs against, a walk and three strikeouts. He started the game August 8, which Washington won 2-0, and went 2.2 innings. He allowed two hits and two runs but walked seven, needing 76 pitches to get through the 2.2 frames. He’d then appear against Washington August 18 and got a win in 1.2 innings with two hits and a run on a walk and two strikeouts. Zentko has pitched in two playoff games so far: Game 2 against Schaumburg with 1.1 innings of one-hit ball. He allowed two hits and a run with a walk and three strikeouts in 1.2 innings in Game 1 of the Midwest Finals against the Wild Things.
EQT Park opens at 6 p.m. for tonight’s game. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. Should Washington win to force Game 5, it will take place Sunday, September 20 at 4:05 p.m. at EQT Park.
Fans who aren’t signed up for a subscription to the Frontier League Network, powered by HTN, can save 20% on a monthly subscription to the service by using FLPLAYOFFS26 at checkout at www.frontierleaguetv.com. Tonight’s broadcast is also available on MixLR at https://www.bit.ly/wtmixlr.
Playoff tickets for the Midwest Finals are on sale now by clicking here and are $5 apiece.
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.
