Peoples-Walls Drives in Seven on Birthday, Sets Franchise Record in Win
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – The Washington Wild Things (42-37) defeated the Schaumburg Boomers (52-25) today in game two of the three-game series, winning the series and keeping their playoff hopes alive. Chase Cunningham (9-2) got the nod for game two, going five innings of five-run-baseball before being relieved by Jake Eaton in the sixth. Led by third baseman Kenny Peoples-Walls on his 24th birthday, the Wild Things were able to score 14 runs, a new game-high on the season, as they won 14-5.
The Wild Things set the tone in the very first inning as all nine batters came to the plate, as the team was able to score four runs on four hits. Left fielder James Harris scored the first run on a groundoout, and was soon followed by centerfielder Rashad Brown scoring on a fielder’s choice from right fielder Hector Roa. Catcher Kyle Pollock then notched a ground-rule double, pushing Roa to third for Peoples-Walls. KPW scored both runners by way of a single, putting Washington up 4-0 heading into Schaumburg’s first chance at the plate.
This score held until the bottom of the second when centerfielder Sean Godfrey sent a two-run homer over the left-centerfield wall, cutting the Wild Things lead in half. First baseman Tanner Pinkston brought the Boomers within one as he plated second baseman Andrew Brodbeck on a sacrifice fly in their half of the third inning. Washington then added to their lead in the top of the fifth as it scored two runs, highlighted by first baseman Kane Sweeny’s solo home run and Peoples-Walls’ second RBI single of the day.
Schaumburg would not go down easily, however, as left fielder Kyle Ruchim launched his fifth home run of the season, scoring two and putting the Boomers within a run for the second time.
The Wild Things bats got hot in the top of the seventh inning, as eight straight batters reached base safely, plating six runs and putting Washington up 12-5 heading into the seven-inning-stretch. This was the second time that at least all nine Wild Things batters came to the plate in the same half inning this game with the other coming in the first inning. By the numbers, it was also the fourth time that the Wild Things have scored six runs in an inning this season, and the six hits they earned are tied for second most in an inning on the year. The scoring plays in the inning were all two-run singles, as Brown, second baseman Kyle Reese and Peoples-Walls all contributed one of those.
In the top of the eighth, the Wild Things would not let up as Peoples-Walls continued to hit the ball well, sending a two-run homer over the fence, giving the Wild Things a nine-run cushion. Peoples-Walls earned his sixth and seventh RBI on the day with his second home run of the season, setting a new franchise record for RBI in a single game.
The Wild Things will look to sweep the league-leading Boomer in game three tomorrow, first pitch is set for 7:30 P.M. EST.
