Jul 1, 2024 2 min read

AVON, OHIO — Washington lost its first road series of the season against Lake Erie, but five pitchers combined for a one-hit shutout on Sunday to salvage a three-game set with a 1-0 victory.

The Wild Things (28-16) had a 9-1 setback to the Crushers (28-17) on Saturday, which clinched the series after Lake Erie won the first game on Friday.

Washington had fallen to second place in the Frontier League’s West Division following the loss on Saturday, but regained the top spot following Sunday’s triumph.

Aaron Forrest pitched a 1-2-3 first inning with two strikeouts, but left the game prior to the second with an injury.

Ryan Munoz relieved Forrest and pitched three innings to earn the victory. He allowed a single to Burle Dixon to lead off the third, but wasn’t fazed and induced a flyout to left field, a strikeout and a foul out to the catcher to end the frame.

Caleby McNeely made a spectacular catch in the second to take away extra bases.

Munoz had three strikeouts and no walks in improving to 2-0.

The Wild Things scored in the fourth with two outs when McNeely doubled to left center and scored on Ethan Wilder’s base hit through the left side on the next pitch after McNeely reached second.

McNeely had three hits and Wilder two.

Christian James held the lead with scoreless frames and three strikeouts but he did issue one walk. Alex Carrillo had a perfect eighth, which he finished with a strikeout looking, and Gyeongjum Kim recorded his 10th save this season with a perfect ninth.

Washington returns to Wild Things Park on Tuesday against Florence to begin a nine-game homestand. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.