The Florence Y’alls have had more than their fair share of struggles against the Frontier League West Division leader this year.
The Washington (Pennsylvania) Wild Things recorded a second sweep of the Florence Y’alls this year taking all three games at Thomas More Stadium this week. Florence is 1-8 against the Wild Things this year. The Y’alls (31-43 overall) have been swept six times this season. The Wild Things (50-25) also own the best record in the Frontier League.
“(Washington) is just a really good team from top to bottom,” said Brian White, Florence manager. “This just wasn’t our series. They execute really well.”
Washington won the first game Tuesday, 6-3. The teams entered the top of the sixth tied 3-3. But Wild Things left fielder Jared Mang belted a three-run home run off Florence starter Edgar Martinez (4-5).
Martinez pitched six innings striking out eight, walking two and allowing 10 hits, six earned runs and two home runs. Bobby Brabrand pitched the seventh and Joe Dougherty finished the game combining for three strikeouts and no walks.
Left fielder Ray Zuberer and center fielder Rodney Tennie had two hits each. Zuberer hit a solo home run with Tennie and second baseman Ethan Stern recording doubles.
The Y’alls did not earn the chance to bat in the bottom of the ninth because excessive rains forced the game to end. Games become official if the home team is leading after 4.5 innings or either team is leading after five.
The Wild Things came back Wednesday and won 6-2 scoring four times in the top of the 10th to win it. Jeremy Ovalle had a nice start pitching into the sixth inning striking out five before Sean Hughes, Darwin Ramos, Karl Craigie and Evy Ruibal took over keeping the Y’alls in the game. But Cameron Pferrer (2-2) pitched that 10th inning giving up three earned runs and walking four.
Shortstop Alberti Chavez, third baseman Luis Pintor and first baseman Axel Johnson had two each to lead the Y’alls. Pintor doubled and Tennie had a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 2-2.
Wild Things reliever Christian James (3-0) earned the win pitching two innings striking out one. Lukas Young pitched a scoreless 10th for the Wild Things to seal the win.
Washington then finished the sweep with a 12-4 win Thursday. The Wild Things jumped all over Florence starter Griffin Baker (2-1) for 11 earned runs building a 12-0 lead entering the bottom of the fifth.
The Y’alls managed just one run and four hits off Washington starter Daren Osby (6-3) in seven innings. They scored four off Wild Things reliever Landen Smith in the bottom of the eighth.
First baseman Brennan Price led the Y’alls going 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI. Pintor also had a double.
“Honestly, we just have keep playing,” Price said. “We just have to take it day by day. They play small ball. Their pitchers attack the zones.”
Florence starts a three-game series on the road against Lake Erie on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.