** The following is an official game recap from the Washington Wild Things**
Washington, PA-While the Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Financial, had a wide array of hitting and stellar pitching against their Eastern Division foe, they were unable to hold onto an early lead and fell 3-1 to the Florence Freedom Saturday.
Washington wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the first inning when 2013 All-Star representative, Jovan Rosa, smacked an RBI double to plate teammate Scott Kalamar who previously singled to give them an early 1-0 advantage.
The Freedom matched the Things’ in the bottom of the first when Jeremy Hamilton hit a sacrifice-fly to even the score at one. but unfortunately added another run in the next frame to take a 2-1 lead courtesy of an RBI double by JC Figueroa.
Washington has made some spectacular defensive plays throughout the year to be remembered, but no other may have topped the play Kalamar made to keep this game a close affair. A suggested web-gem to be submitted to ESPN’s Baseball Tonight show, the outfielder trotted his way to the warning track and leaped up to grab a potential solo shot by Freedom’s Kyle Bluestein in the bottom of the second.
However, Freedom was able to capitalize for their third run of the night when Alex Williams hit the club’s second sacrifice-fly to secure the win for Florence.
Although, starting pitcher Shawn Sanford was tagged with the loss, he had another impressive outing throwing 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and striking out six Florence batters. Reliever Matt Phillips continued to dazzle as he got out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the seventh and pitched a remaining 1 2/3 of scoreless baseball.
Washington will take on the Freedom for one more game on Sunday before heading into the All-Star break. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 and all the action can be heard on WJPA 95.3 FM. Tickets for the 2013 Frontier League All-Star Game, presented by 84 Lumber, can be purchased by calling the Washington Wild Things at 724-250-9555.
By: Deb Hilton
Photo Credit: Washington Wild Things
