Washington Wins Opener Behind Four-Run Eighth

Evansville, IN (May 11) - Entering the eighth inning of Friday's season opener in Evansville, the Wild Things had a tough task facing them trailing 4-3. With Otters' pitching having set down the last 13 Washington hitters entering the inning, Evansville turned to 2017 Frontier League Rookie of the Year Kyano Cummings, who allowed just 10 earned runs in 73.2 innings last season. Cummings had never allowed more than three runs total, and no more than two earned runs in an outing for Evansville, until Friday night.

With one out and a runner on first after a leadoff walk to start the inning, Cummings got a ground ball that could have turned into an inning-ending double play. It would be for not, however, as Evansville shortstop Toby Thomas dropped the exchange, allowing Washington second baseman Carter McEachern to reach at first. Right fielder Hector Roa tied the game, plating McEachern with a double, before first baseman Reydel Medina delivered his second run-scoring single in the contest, giving the Wild Things a lead they would never relinquish on opening night.

The Wild Things (1-0) defeated Evansville (0-1) by a final of 7-4 at historic Bosse Field Friday night.

Evansville got the scoring started in the second with an RBI single by catcher Luis Vilorio and an RBI groundout by Manny Cruz, and led 2-0 after two innings.

Wild Things' centerfielder James Harris hit his first home run of the season to start the third inning, in what ended up being a three-run frame for Washington. Designated hitter Mick Fennell singled to follow the solo shot, and was plated by a McEachern run-scoring double, his second double of the evening to that point. On the play, left fielder Roman Collins moved to third after he had been walked. Collins subsequently scored on Medina's first RBI single.

Evansville first baseman Brandon Dulin drove in the Otters' third run in the home half of the third with a bases-loaded fielder's choice. It was the third and final run off Wild Things' starter Chase Cunningham, who got a no decision after tossing four innings of three-run ball. Cunningham walked six and hit a batter, and gave up three hits.

Left-hander Frank Trimarco relieved Cunningham, and allowed Evansville to grab the lead in the sixth, as left fielder Ryan Long doubled home a run to give the Otters a 4-3 lead, before the Wild Things had the aforementioned four-run eighth to win the game. Trimarco would get the win after throwing 3.2 innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts.

Zach Strecker pitched a scoreless ninth to get his first save of the season, and complete the first win of 2018 for Washington.

The teams return to Bosse Field for game two of the series tomorrow. The Wild Things will send left-handed pitcher Thomas Dorminy to the hill, and he will oppose Pat McGuff, who goes for the Otters. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. EST, and you can watch live at livestream.com/WildThings.

Box Score: http://frontier.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscoretext.html?gameid=443532

ELSEWHERE AROUND THE FRONTIER LEAGUE -

(All game times are local to the host team)

Florence Freedom 12 def. Joliet Slammers 6

FLORENCE, Ky. - Florence’s offense exploded to score 11 runs in the first four innings and collect 17 hits altogether in its 12-6 win over Joliet. The Freedom were led by Jordan Brower who went 4-5 with a homer and four RBI. Jose Brizuela went yard in his second-straight game for Florence and went 3-4 with three RBI. Joliet was led by Chaz Meadows who went 2-4 with a double while Justin Garcia and R.J. Thompson added two RBI each. Florence (2-0) will look to sweep Joliet (0-2) at home to open the season tonight at 6:05.

Windy City ThunderBolts- 5, River City Rascals- 2

CRESTWOOD, Il. - Windy City plated three runs in the first inning and accumulated 13 hits in its second-straight victory over River City, 5-2. The ThunderBolts were led offensively by Tyler Straub who went 2-4 with a triple and two RBI while Riley Krane added three singles. Patrick Ledet earned the win for Windy City, throwing seven complete innings and allowing four hits and one earned run. River City’s Gerrion Grim added an RBI double. Windy City (2-0) looks to earn the sweep over River City (0-2) tonight at home.

Southern Illinois Miners- 12, Lake Erie Crushers- 4

MARION, Il. – The Southern Illinois Miners' offense got hot in its home opener, plating at least one run in each inning from the fourth frame on in their 12-4 victory over Lake Erie. Miners' outfielder Chance Shepard was a double away from the cycle, going 3-4 with three RBI. Nolan Earley also added three hits for Southern Illinois while Corey Dempster had two hits and two RBI. Lake Erie’s Dane Hutcheon went 2-4 with an RBI triple while Bryan DeLaRosa went 2-4 with an RBI double. The two teams combined for a total of 27 hits in the contest, with Southern Illinois providing 17 of those hits. Lake Erie (0-1) will look to bounce back on the road in game two while Southern Illinois (1-0) will try to earn another home victory in opening weekend.

Normal CornBelters- 11, Traverse City Beach Bums- 6

NORMAL, Il. – Normal started its 2018 campaign with a home victory over Traverse City 11-6. The CornBelters only trailed for a half inning in the contest, plating a run in the first and second innings and adding three more in the third. Normal would eventually score six more runs in the game and held a big lead of 11-3 in the 7th inning. They were led offensively by Chris Iriat who went 3-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Derrick Loveless had two RBI while Nick Cain and Santiago Chirino evenly split four hits. Traverse City was led by Will Kengor, who went 2-4 with a home run, double, and two RBI. Normal (1-0) hosts Traverse City (0-1) for game two of the three-game series tonight at 7:05.

Gateway Grizzlies- 6, Schaumburg Boomers- 2

SCHAUMBURG, Il. – Gateway started its 2018 season on a high note, defeating the Schaumburg Boomers 6-2 on the road at GCS Ballpark. Gateway had the only extra-base hit of the contest, courtesy of a three-run home run from Terry McClure in the first inning. Brent Sakurai was the only Grizzly with a multi-hit game, going 2-4 with two RBI. Kewby Meyer went 2-3 with an RBI while Jack Parenty added two hits and Josh Gardiner had an RBI for Schaumburg. Gateway (1-0) looks go to back-to-back against Schaumburg (0-1) at 7:05 tonight.