Andrew Czech Belts Homer for 500th Pro Hit in Loss
WASHINGTON, Pa. (Aug. 18) – The Washington Wild Things fell to the Evansville Otters by a final score of 4-1 on Tuesday night at EQT Park. The loss marked just the second time this year that Washington has lost three-straight games.
Jon Ponder led off the game for Evansville with a solo home run to left field to give the Otters an early 1-0 lead. In the second inning, Evansville scored on an RBI single by Chris Kwitzer stretching its lead to 2-0. Washington starting pitcher Zach Kirby stranded two runners to end the inning and limit the damage.
Kirby retired the side in the third inning, and then again in the fourth frame with the help of two spectacular plays by Wild Things defenders.
Evansville’s starting pitcher Joan Gonzalez exited after four scoreless innings and was not credited with a decision. The right-hander picked up seven punchouts, allowed just three hits, and walked two batters. In the fifth, Evansville added to its lead when Sam Linscott scored on a bases-loaded walk issued to Marcos Gonzalez. Kirby induced a groundball a batter later to work out of the jam and strand the bases loaded.
Kirby worked a scoreless sixth with more help from his defense, this time an outfield assist by Caleb Ketchup, and again stranded two baserunners to end the inning. In Kirby’s six innings of work, he allowed three-runs on eight hits, surrendered three walks and struck out two.
The Wild Things’ offense got a jolt of energy in the sixth inning when Andrew Czech blasted a 422-foot solo home run to get Washington on the board and cut the Evansville lead to 3-1. Czech’s long ball was his 24th of the 2026 season and was the 500th hit of his Wild Things and professional career.
Evansville responded in the seventh inning to regain its three-run advantage on an RBI single by LG Castillo. Washington was only able to get one baserunner aboard in its final three trips to the plate and finished the game with 13 strikeouts at the plate.
The Wild Things host Evansville again tomorrow at EQT Park for the middle game of the three-game set. Kenten Egbert takes the mound for Washington with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Washington’s playoff magic number remains at six with no outside help tonight. 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.
