Jul 30, 2025 By Chris Dugan 4 min read

When you’re a hot team like the Wild Things are, these are the kind of things that happen.

When you’re a struggling squad, like the New Jersey Jackals, these are the kind of things that happen.

The Wild Things defeated New Jersey on Wednesday night, 10-8, getting a two-out, walk-off, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth from right fielder Jeff Liquori.

While Liquori seventh’s home run of the season was the game-winner, there were plenty of fireworks before that point that made the game one of the best of the season at EQT Park.

New Jersey forged an early 5-1 lead before Washington tied it in the fifth on a grand slam by first baseman Andrew Czech. It was Czech’s 19th home run of the season and his fourth grand slam, setting a Frontier League single-season record.

Washington went ahead 7-5 in the sixth, but New Jersey, which has the league’s worst record, battled back and took an 8-7 lead by scoring twice in the top of the ninth against Washington closer Andrew Herbert (5-0).

The Wild Things tied it in the bottom of the ninth when Tommy Caufield, who had drawn a leadoff walk, raced home on a sacrifice fly by Wagner Lagrange.

With Czech on second base and two outs, the game stopped as home plate umpire Jose Navas ejected Jackals pitching coach Tommy Lawrence, who was in the dugout. New Jersey manager Bert Gonzalez then left the dugout to argue and he was ejected.

It caused about a five-minute delay for Jackals closer Max Martzolf (0-1) and Liquori.

“I think (the delay) was an advantage to the pitcher,” Liquori said. “It got me out of my rhythm. That was rough.”

Liquori got back in rhythm quickly. Two pitches after play resumed, Liquori hit a ball on a moon-shot trajectory to right field that cleared the wall and set off a wild celebration from the Wild Things. Martzolf, meanwhile, walked toward the Jackals’ dugout and made a gesture directed toward Navas.

“I knew it was gone as soon as it hit it,” Liquori said.

Washington won for the seventh time in nine games. New Jersey has lost eight in a row. The Wild Things are a season-high eight games over .500.

“That’s what we’re doing,” Liquori said. “The pitching has been good. We turned a couple of double plays tonight. The hitters have been coming through.”

New Jersey had a huge game from left fielder Jake DeLeo, a former Wild Things player. Deleo went 5-for-5 with three doubles and four RBI.

DeLeo began the Frontier League season with Washington, and after suffering an injury during spring training he was placed on the injured list before opening day. DeLeo was activated by Washington in June and played in only four games before being released and signing with New Jersey.

Washington starter Dylan Kirkeby, who was acquired in a trade earlier this week, went only 4 1/3 innings in his Wild Things debut. He gave up seven hits, including two home runs, solo shots by third baseman Sebastian Muller in the second inning and second baseman Ryan Ford in the third.

Kirkeby, who was acquired from Windy City, gave up a two-run single to DeLeo in the first inning and RBI double to the Jackals’ left fielder in the fifth, which was the last batter he faced. He exited with New Jersey leading 5-1.

After New Jersey forged an early 3-0 lead, Washington scored in the bottom of the second when Lagrange led off with a double to left field off Jackals starter Logan Waltz and scored on a one-out single by Ethan Wilder.

New Jersey led 5-1 before the game unraveled on Waltz in the fifth.

Extra bases

New Jersey catcher Kenneth Jimenez left the game in the bottom of the second inning after being struck in the head by a foul tip off the bat of Kyle Edwards.