FL Washington Wild Things

Wild Things Win Season Opener

May 18, 2012 - Frontier League (FL)
Washington Wild Things News Release


EVANSVILLE, IN - The Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Financial, endured a late inning comeback attempt to earn a 4-3 victory over the Evansville Otters in the 2012 season opener.

The Wild Things rode a stellar pitching performance from starter Justin Hall and some timely hitting on the way to the win.

Hall, who had rough start to the game but settled in after the first inning, earned the win for the Wild Things, going six innings, scattering five hits and striking out six all while walking just one. He threw 88 pitches on the evening.

Hall had to get himself out of some early inning trouble in the bottom of the first. A leadoff single to Matt Sheely, followed by a walk to Frank Martinez put runners at first and second. Another single by Nick Schwaner loaded the bases for the Otters before the Hall dug in and struck out back-to-back batters.

A pitching duel ensued next, with both teams combing for just five hits over the next 6.2 innings.

The Wild Things would finally break through in the top of the seventh, after a pitching change replaced Dan Blewett. Blewett went six innings, giving up just two hits but his pitch count reached 96 pitches, effectively ending his evening.

Designated hitter Luis Rivera led off the seventh with a walk, and advanced to second when shortstop Jon Karcich couldn't field a throw from catcher Brett Chamberlain on a steal attempt. First baseman Michael Bando then took walk on a wild pitch from Cory Trudell, which allowed Rivera to advance to third. A sacrifice fly to left field by Chris Anderson that scored Rivera delivered the Wild Things first run of the season.

One batter later, center fielder Allan Boyer singled in Bando to put Washington ahead 2-0.

After an intentional walk to second baseman Shain Stoner put Boyer in scoring position at second, right fielder Mitch Denning kept the two-out rally going by singling to left-center, scoring Boyer to make it 3-0.

The Otters scratched across their first run of the ballgame in the bottom of the eighth, after Nick Schwaner singled in Frank Martinez.

Washington went on to add an insurance run in the top of the ninth that would be much needed, as Wild Things third baseman Doug Thennis doubled down the left field line and scored Shain Stoner, extending their lead to 4-1.

Evansville then loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth after a dropped strike three and a pair of singles. A sacrifice fly by Alex Foltz that scored Brett Chamberlain cut the Wild Things' lead to 4-2. The Otters continued to chip away with another run, this time on a sacrifice groundout by Frank Martinez that scored Kevin Lovelace, making the score 4-3.

That left reliever Nick Cicio facing Nick Schwaner, but Boyer made a sliding catch on the warning track on a ball that was tagged to right-center field by Schwaner.

With the final out, Cicio earned the four-out save and sealed the victory for the Wild Things.

Mickey Cassidy pitched 1.2 innings of relief for the Wild Things, providing a solid bridge to Cicio with two outs in the eighth.

The Wild Things are back in action on Saturday, May 19th against the Otters. First pitch is set for 7:35.

The Wild Things return to CONSOL Energy Park on Tuesday, May 22 for their home opener against the Gateway Grizzlies as part of Legends Week. Tickets are available and can be purchased by visiting www.washingtonwildthings.com, the CONSOL Energy Park box office, or by calling 866-456-WILD.

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Frontier League Stories from May 18, 2012


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