“Wild Things” beats Florence and takes the series win

FLORENCE, Kentucky – Washington defeated Florence 13-12 on Sunday to win the three-game series.

The Wild Things enter the All-Star break with the Frontier League’s best record of 38-18. Washington leads the West Division by 1 ½ games over Lake Erie (37-20). Quebec leads the East Division 37-20.

The Wild Things led 13-6 after scoring two runs early in the eighth inning, but the Y’alls (23-33) made things exciting by scoring six runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Gyeongju Kim allowed a three-run homer to TJ Reeves in the eighth inning and Florence had runners on first and second base in the ninth; Washington’s closer recorded a strikeout for his 15th save of the season.

The Wild Things continued their strong offensive performance in the series, scoring in the fifth inning on Tommy Caufield’s RBI single that scored Caleb McNeely.

Washington scored three runs each in the second, third and fourth innings to take a 7-4 lead, while the Y’alls added two runs each in the second and third innings.

Carson Clowers had an RBI double and McNeely hit a two-run blast in the second inning. McNeely has 14 home runs and 57 RBIs this season.

Robert Chayka had an RBI double and Clowers hit a two-run shot.

Caufield, who had three hits in the game, hit a single in the sixth inning and scored on a base hit by Brandon McIlwain after advancing to third base on a double by Jalen Miller.

Ricardo Sanchez and McIlwain each had an RBI in the eighth inning. McIlwain had three RBIs and Sanchez added two.

The Wild Things have five All-Stars in McNeely, Kim, Christian James, Kobe Foster and Zach Kirby, but Kim (visa restrictions) and Kirby (persistent injury) will not travel to Quebec City.

Washington returns to action Friday in Evansville at Bosse Field with first pitch scheduled for 7:35 p.m.