Wild Things defeat Lake Erie, 5-4, with three ninth inning runs
May 23, 2009 - Frontier League (FL)
Washington Wild Things News Release
Washington, Pa.-The Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Federal Savings Bank, came from behind in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Lake Erie Crushers, 5-4, thanks to a game-winning sacrifice fly by left fielder Jason Spiers.
Spiers, who replaced injured right fielder Chris Demons in the seventh inning, capped off a three-run effort by the Wild Things in the ninth inning. The Crushers gave up one hit, two errors and a walk to allow the runs to score.
The Crushers got on the scoreboard first, when Arden McWilliams scored on a sacrifice fly by Andrew Saylor in the top of the fifth. The Wild Things struck back quickly in the bottom of the inning. Wild Things catcher Alan Robbins hit a double to drive in Jacob Dempsey and then scored from second on an error by Crusher second baseman Saylor.
The Crushers took back the lead in the sixth. Luke Hetherington led off the inning with a solo homerun to tie the score, causing the Wild Things to bring in Zach Groh in relief. Groh walked Jodem Rivera with the bases loaded, putting in the Crushers in front 3-2.
The Crushers scored again in seventh inning when relief pitcher Nick Peterson hit Nick Maragas with the bases loaded.
The score remained the same until the bottom of the ninth. With his team down by three runs, Ernie Banks led off the inning with a base hit and scored after two straight errors by Crushers infielders. Alan Robbin hit a sacrifice bunt, and an error by relief pitcher Jacinto Gonell loaded the bases. Gonell then walked in a run to tie the game, setting up the opportunity for Spiers to win the game for the Wild Things.
Starting pitcher Sean Heimpel threw five innings for the Wild Things, giving up two runs on two hits. Crusher starter Josh Faiola gave a similar performance, with two run and two hits in five innings. The winning pitcher was Kedrick Martin; losing pitcher was Jacinto Gonell.
Frontier League Stories from May 23, 2009
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