WASHINGTON, PA – The Traverse City Beach Bums jumped out to an early lead, but were unable to hang on as the Washington Wild Things took the second half opener against Traverse City by a 4-2 score.
Things started off well for the Beach Bums as with one out, Ryan Still singled and Jose Vargas walked. Chase Burch bounced a ball back to the mound, where Chris Smith fielded and threw on to second, but Tanner Leighton couldn’t handle the feed, allowing Vargas to be safe at second base and Still to score for a 1-0 Traverse City lead.
Washington would come back in the bottom of the inning as with a run in, wildness from Beach Bums pitching loaded the bases for Shain Stoner who singled through the left side of the infield, scoring two runs for a 3-1 Wild Things lead.
Traverse City would get one of the runs back in the third as Still walked to lead off the inning. After a stolen base, he stood on second with two down before Jeff Flagg singled to drive Still home, slicing the Washington lead to 3-2. The Wild Things would use an RBI groundout by Leighton in the fourth to push the lead back to two runs.
From there the pitching staffs took over. Beach Bums starter Brooks Belter settled in, retiring the final eight batters he faced. Nick Capito came on and tossed two perfect innings for Traverse City, striking out three.
Unfortunately for TC, Washington’s bullpen was equal to the task as the combination of Nick Cicio, Chandler Barnard and Orlando Santos allowed just one baserunner over the final three innings to preserve the victory.
Wild Things’ starter Chris Smith (5-3) got the win, allowing one earned run over six innings while Santos picked up his second save of the year.
Belter (6-1) allowed just one run over his final five innings, but suffered his first loss of the year.
