Wild Things Fall in Finale, Head to Playoffs
WASHINGTON, Pa. (Sept. 6) – Behind a seven-run ninth inning, the newly-crowned West Division champion Schaumburg Boomers upended Washington 9-6 in the regular season finale at EQT Park Sunday. Washington got homers in the game from Wagner Lagrange and Cole Fowler and solid pitching up until that fateful frame.
Just after the game began, Washington found out it will be playing the Florence Y’alls in the Frontier League Wild Card round starting Wednesday, September 9 in Florence, as the Y’alls won a win-and-in game at home against Windy City to clinch a spot in the postseason. That result also crowned Schaumburg as back-to-back West champs, rendering Sunday’s game completely meaningless in the grand scheme of things.
Washington did jump out to a 5-0 lead with RBI from Anthony Brocato and Miles Simington in the first inning, a solo homer by Fowler in the second and a two-run homer by Lagrange in the third. Eldridge Armstrong III was tabbed Washington’s starter late and was effective in his spot start, allowing two hits and two walks in three frames. He did not allow a run.
Schaumburg got its first run in the fifth, its only tally against Kelvin Perez, who tossed three innings in relief of Armstrong III. The Boomers got a solo homer by Jeff Nicol off Drew Stegura in the seventh to draw a bit closer before Washington added an RBI single by Connor Peek in the eighth with the sacs full.
The Boomers scored seven times off Washington’s Landon Ginn in the ninth, being aided by five walks in what was an outing Ginn will look to quickly push aside before the playoffs begin Wednesday.
Washington battled and got the tying run on base in the bottom half but did not get closer than 9-6.
Game 1 of the Frontier League Midwest Wild Card series against Florence is slated for 6:56 p.m. Wednesday at Thomas More Stadium. Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) will be played at EQT Park Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, respectively, both at 7:05 p.m.
Neither side has named a starter for Game 1. Washington won the regular-season series 9-3 over Florence, including wins in the six games played at Thomas More Stadium, the site of the opening contest of the set.
Playoff tickets for the Wild Card round are on sale now by clicking here and are $5 apiece. Washington will host Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12 (if necessary) in the best of three against Florence. Division championship shirts are also available for pre-order 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.
