The Boulders topped the Washington Wild Things in walk-off fashion on Saturday night at Palisades Credit Union Park. After a sluggish eight innings, the Boulders finally came alive to score four runs in the bottom of the 9th, thanks to a three-run walk off home run by Tucker Nathans. 

The Washington Wild Things hopped on the Boulders early, scoring three runs in the top of the second to take an early 3-0 lead. After a Bralin Jackson walk and Brent Heyman single, Jackson scored on a pop up to center field that was dropped by Milton Smith Jr. Two batters later, Cody Erickson drilled it to left field knocking in the two runners on base. The Boulders were able to get two runners on base in the bottom half of the inning but were unable to capitalize, leaving both runners stranded on base to end the inning. 

McKenzie Mills seemed to be in complete control for the Wild Things. Over the course of the first four innings, the Boulders were able to reach base on walks, a hit by pitch, and an error. However, the Boulders couldn’t get their bats going, as they left six batters on base over those four innings. Mills struck out three while allowing four hits in that span. 

Ryan Munoz did his job for the Boulders through six innings. He allowed only one earned run, struck out eight, and walked two batters. Yet, he left the game with the Boulders down 3-0 through six innings. 

The Boulders’ first chance came in the bottom of the 6th inning. With two outs, Ryan Ramiz reached base on an error. Gian Martellini then singled, and the Boulders had runners on first and second. Penprase lined the ball to left field, but Ramiz was thrown out at home to end the inning. Mills was able to escape the inning untouched, as he finished the game with six shut-out innings, five strikeouts, six hits, and one walk. 

The Boulders’ second chance came in the 7th inning when lefty reliever B.J. Sabol came into the game for the Wild Things. Milton Smith Jr. singled to left and reached third when Sabol tried to pick him off at first. Smith Jr. then scored on an error. The lead was cut to 3-1, but Washington sent stud James Meeker into the game to retire the side. 

The Boulders escaped the 8th inning after the Wild Things loaded the bases with one out due to a couple errors by Nathan Alexander and Zach Kirtley. Grant Heyman was thrown out at home trying to tag on a pop up to retire the side. 

However, the Wild Things tacked on one more run in the top of the 9th to give themselves a 4-1 cushion over the Boulders after Meeker struck out three of four batters he faced. 

The Boulders refused to back down. In the bottom of the 9th, Milton Smith Jr. reached on an error by the shortstop. Jack Sundberg then singled to center, sending Smith Jr. to second. Smith Jr. and Sundberg then advanced on a wild pitch by Zach Strecker. Zach Kirtley then ripped a ground ball to short and reached base, driving in Smith Jr., cutting the lead to 4-2. Tucker Nathans stepped up to the plate with two men on and one out. Nathans hopped on the first pitch, sending it deep to left field, scoring three runs to win the game.