Wild Things clinch playoff berth
The postgame fireworks may have been canceled due to a ban on burning in North Franklin Twp., but Washington provided its own fireworks in a 8-2 victory over Lake Erie on Friday night at Wild Things Park.
The Wild Things (56-25) not only won the game, but clinched a playoff berth in the Frontier League playoffs.
Washington’s magic number was down to one, and it could have clinched with a Schaumburg loss, but coach Tom Vaeth’s team decided to take care of business themselves.
The result of Schaumburg’s game against Joliet was not available at press time.
The Wild Things got their offense going early, as Andrew Czech hit a three-run home run to right field to score Tyreque Reed and Wagner Lagrange in the first inning.
Czech’s homer came with two outs after Lagrange doubled to right and Reed walked. Jalen Miller followed with a solo shot to left field for a 4-0 advantage.
The Crushers (45-36) cut the deficit to 4-2 with a two-run blast in the second.
Ethan Wilder’s RBI single plated Brandon McIlwain in the fourth and Miller doubled home Lagrange in the fifth for a 6-2 lead.
Lagrange had a run-scoring single in the sixth and Reed doubled home Caleb McNeely in the eighth.
Kobe Foster started and earned the pitching victory for Washington in allowing two earned runs on seven hits over seven innings. He struck out seven and walked two.
Lagrange and McNeely had three hits apiece. All three of McNeely’s hits were doubles.
Nick MacDonald and Brandon Nail each pitched a scoreless frame for the Wild Things.
The two teams meet again tonight at 7:05. The series finale is Sunday at 5:35 p.m.