After being one of the hottest teams in the Frontier League, the Wild Things have quickly seen their success take a turn for the worst. Just a couple of weeks ago, the Wild Things were atop the Frontier League’s East Division. After a 5-3 loss tonight, they find themselves in fifth place and just one game over .500.
When the game started, it seemed like the Wild Things would be able to get into a groove against Beach Bums’ pitcher Michael Devine. After Shawn Smith held the Bums hitless in the top of the first, Stewart Ijames blasted a solo shot over the center field wall, the deepest part of the field, to take an early lead for the Things.
The second inning would prove to be an eventful one for both teams.
In the top of the second, Traverse City shortstop Sean Gusrang hit his own solo shot to tie the game at one. At the end of the half-inning, Jose Vargas hit a two-run double that eventually led to DMarcus Ingram being thrown out after the two runs crossed the plate to end the inning.
In the bottom half, the Wild Things were able to come back a little bit. After CJ Beatty got on base with a leadoff walk, he was able to move around to second with a stolen base, and then eventually end up on third base after a wild pitch. Scott Kalamar took advantage of that and drove Beatty in on a single to bring the Wild Things within just one run early. After Kalamar was caught stealing, AJ Nunziato hit a solo shot to tie the game once again.
The Wild Things would only have two hits the rest of the game.
The Beach Bums added another run in the third off of an error and the final run in the top of the 9th off of an Ingram home run.
Washington was able to get three men on in the bottom of the eight but couldn’t capitalize.
Smith lasted 5.0 innings, allowing four runs and scattering six hits. He struck out six along the way. The loss is his second on the season.
Ijames was the only Wild Thing with multiple hits in the game, with a home run and a single.
The Wild Things will open up a series with the River City Rascals tomorrow night at Console Energy Park. First pitch is set for 7:05 pm ET. It’s prom night at the stadium, and the Wild Things will be hoping to take home a W at the end of the night.
Photo Credit: photos.record-eagle.com
