Wild Things Drop Game One of Doubleheader, Come Back to Win Game Two Convincingly

TRAVERSE CITY, MI (Aug. 15) — The Wild Things entered Wednesday night's doubleheader with the Traverse City Beach Bums just .5 games behind the Joliet Slammers for first place in the Frontier League Eastern Division.

Although Washington (45-34) managed to split the two games, with a 2-1 loss in the first contest and a 11-1 win in the nightcap, the Wild Things lost ground in the East thanks to Joliet's 12-5 win over the Lake Erie Crushers.

In the first game, the Beach Bums (35-44) drew first blood in the bottom of the first on an RBI groundout by third baseman Steve Lohr.

It remained a 1-0 game until Washington tied it the fourth. After left fielder Roman Collins doubled to start the frame and designated hitter Reydel Medina moved him to third on a groundout, right fielder Hector Roa singled home Collins to make it 1-1.

The scored stayed the same through the abbreviated seven scheduled innings and into the bottom of the ninth. With runners on first and third and Traverse City left fielder Noah McGowan facing Wild Things reliever Zach Strecker, McGowan came through, driving in designated hitter Alexis Rivera to walk it off. Strecker took the loss, while for the Beach Bums, reliever Matt Williams got the win.

Both starting pitchers suffered hard-luck no decisions in game one. For Washington, Thomas Dorminy stayed at 8-4 despite allowing just that first inning run on four hits over six strong frames. He also walked three and struck out five. Traverse City's Reinaldo Lopez also remained 8-4, allowing just one run in seven innings, giving up three hits, walking two and striking out eight. Lopez retired the last 11 batters he faced.

Washington started the second game with three straight hits to load the bases. The Wild Things could only score once, however, as right fielder Hector Roa hit into a double play to score a run and designated hitter Kyle Pollock struck out to end the inning.

The Wild Things added on in the fourth on a two-run home run by third baseman Mike Hill. It was Hill's team-leading 14th of the season. He ended the second game going 2-4 with two runs scored and four RBI.

Washington pulled away with four runs in the sixth. A double by centerfielder James Harris scored shortstop Ryan Cox to make it 4-0, and two more runs came in on a single by Medina that was complimented by a throwing error from Beach Bums' right fielder Isaac Benard. The Wild Things pushed the lead to seven on an RBI groundout by Roa. Washington finished off the scoring with four runs in the seventh, which included a two-run double by shortstop Ryan Cox.

Levi MaVorhis (2-2) got the win, allowing one unearned run on seven hits over five innings while walking a batter and striking out five. For Traverse City, John Havird (3-9) took the loss, allowing six runs on eight hits over four innings. Offensively, Medina and Cox each went 3-4 while Collins went 2-3.

The Wild Things will look to win the series and move into a tie for first place tomorrow night. Michael Austin (1-2) is scheduled to start for Washington, opposing Luke DeVenney (1-3) for Traverse City. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.