Wild Things Drop Opener to Schaumburg

WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington Wild Things (44-40) fell to the Schaumburg Boomers (58-27) in the opener of the three-game, mid-week series by a score of 8-4. Six of the eight Schaumburg runs came across the plate with two outs. Chase Cunningham (9-3) started on the mound for Washington, going 5.1 innings in the loss as he allowed six runs on eight hits. Despite the loss, the Wild Things are still in the thick of things in regards to the wild-card race.

With the win, Schaumburg clinched the playoffs, and also the East Division, by virtue of Windy City falling in game one of two to Joliet tonight.

For the first time during this homestand the Wild Things struck first, when shortstop Mike Hill sent his 13th home run of the year to right field, putting the Wild Things up 1-0 in the bottom of the second. This lead didn’t last long, however, as Schaumburg’s first two batters singled to start the third. A sacrifice bunt from right fielder Zach Weigel moved both runners into scoring position, and then a ground-out from shortstop John Holland allowed the runner to score from third, tying the game at a run apiece.

In the top of the fourth, Cunningham was one pitch away from getting out of the inning, but designated hitter Tanner Pinkston was able to get a single. Chase then hit the next two batters, loading the bases. Left fielder Jack Parenty followed up with a single, plating two runs and giving Schaumburg a 3-1 lead.

The Wild Things once again answered in the bottom half, this time scoring three runs on four hits, highlighted by a double from Hill and RBI singles from left fielder James Harris, centerfielder Rashad Brown and designated hitter Bralin Jackson.

The Boomers tied and took the lead shortly thereafter as centerfielder Sean Godfrey singled in a run in the top of the fifth, and they then scored two runs in the top of the sixth as Weigel and Holland both had RBI singles, putting the score at 6-4. Schaumburg added the final two tallies before the stretch, as Brodbeck and Parenty both singled in runs.

The Wild Things look to even the series tomorrow as they continue to fight for that second wild card spot. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. with Ethan Gibbons (1-2) on the mound for Washington.

Boxscore: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=379325