2010 Season Ends for Washington Wild Things With Another Loss

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, September 5, 2010 | 12:00 AM

Brandon Howard's two-run, eighth-inning double off Eryk McConnell was the difference tonight as the Washington Wild Things fell to the Traverse City Beach Bums 4-3 in their season finale.

For the first time all series, the teams experienced good weather, having battled wind and rain in the previous two games at Wuerfel Park.

The Wild Things entered the game as losers of seven straight and nine out of their last ten, averaging just over two runs a game during the stretch. They were unable to bounce back despite another strong outing from their starting pitcher. Always dependable starter Billy Muldowney produced one more solid effort in his final start of the season, yielding one run on five hits in six innings. He struck out six and did not walk a hitter.

Washington wasted little time getting on the board, as Chris Sidick hit a hustling double to lead off the game. Two batters later, Jon Kourie, hitting at a .400 clip in his previous five games, singled Sidick home to give Washington the early lead. In the top of the third, Kourie added another RBI, as his two-out double drove home Wilson Matos.

The Beach Bums looked to counter in the bottom half of the third, having men on second and third with nobody out. But Muldowney was able to work out of the jam without yielding a run, including a strikeout of first baseman Chase Burch, the Frontier League RBI leader.

An inning later, Traverse City was able to scratch home a run, when a Jonathan Alia single scored Brad Miller, cutting the Washington lead to 2-1.

The game continued to tilt back and forth, as both teams were able to reach base consistently. However, neither managed to score until Traverse City tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, courtesy of a Chris Bennet two-out balk. Washington quickly answered in the top of the eighth, as Michael Parker's two-out single plated Sidick, giving the Wild Things a short-lived 3-2 lead.

With his 2-for-3 day at the plate, Kourie ended the season hitting .301 in 47 games with the Wild Things, while Sidick finished the season exactly at .300, following his 3-for-4 effort.

Having clinched their first ever playoff berth with Saturday's victory over the Wild Things, Traverse City will travel to Windy City for the first round of the Frontier League playoffs. In the matchup of West Division teams, River City will face Southern Illinois. Both series are scheduled to begin Thursday night.

Washington concluded their season at 38-55, finishing in fifth place in the East Division. Season tickets for 2011, the Wild Things' 10th season, are on sale now. Call the box office at 866-456-WILD for details.

Tags: Washington