Wild Things jump out to big lead, hang on for win at Schaumburg
SAUGET, ILL. — Washington used a two-run second inning and a five-run third to build up a seven-run lead before hanging on for a 9-6 victory against Schaumburg Friday night in the series opener at Wintrust Field.
With the win over the Boomers, the Wild Things improved to 21-9 this season and moved a half-game ahead of Lake Erie (21-10) in the West Division of the Frontier League. Washington leads New York (20-9) in the league standings by a half-game. The Boulders lead the East Division.
The Wild Things opened the scoring in the second when Caleb McNeely stole third base and scored on a throwing error by the catcher on the attempt. JC Santini’s groundout to first scored Alex Ovalles for a 2-0 advantage.
Washington scored its five runs in the third on five hits that began with Ethan Wilder’s RBI single.
Wagner Lagrange’s sacrifice fly scored a second run and McNeely had a two-run triple for a 6-0 lead. Ovalles had a run-scoring double.
Schaumburg (19-11) got on the scoreboard in the fourth on Seth Gray’s RBI single, but the Wild Things got the run back in the fifth on an RBI single by McNeely for an 8-1 advantage.
The Boomers cut the deficit to 8-2 in the bottom of the frame on Evan Orzech’s solo home run.
Wilder’s RBI single in the sixth scored Washington’s last run.
Schaumburg cut into the Wild Things’ advantage with a four-run sixth for a 9-6 game, but neither team scored in the last three innings.
Washington starter Jordan DiValerio allowed six runs over 5.1 innings of work, but got the win and improved to 4-1 this season.
Justin Goossen-Brown yielded three hits in 2.2 and Ryan Munoz earned his first save as a Wild Thing with a perfect ninth.
McNeely had a career high with four hits, and Wilder, Robert Chayka and Tommy Caufield all had multiple hits.
Washington looks to win the series Saturday night at 7:30. The Wild Things’ Dariel Fregio will oppose Cole Cook.