Spring training: Game 1

The Lake Erie Crushers, the newest franchise in the Frontier League, scored eight runs in the top of the sixth inning Friday to beat the Wild Things, 8-2, before a crowd of 2,800 school kids at Consol Energy Park.

Five Lake Erie pitchers combined on a six-hitter. Left fielder Jacob Dempsey had two of Washington's hits, including a home run to lead off the eighth inning.

Dempsey was the only Washington player who has locked up a spot in the starting lineup to play in the game. Lake Erie also held out several of its top hitters.

Lake Erie scored all of its runs against left-handed relief pitcher Dan Horvath. The Crushers had six hits in the big inning and combined them with two walks, a hit batsman and two errors.

Four other Washington pitchers - starter Michael Mondesir (3 innings), Josh Eachues (2 innings), Kalen Gearhart (2 innings) and Michael Lucas (1 inning) - combined to blank Lake Erie on four hits over the other eight innings.

Washington scored first on Alex Paluka's triple down the right-field line that drove in Joe Spiers, who had two hits and reached base three times.

The teams will play the nightcap of the day-night doubleheader at 7:05 p.m.

The waiting is the hardest part

It's less than 24 hours until the on-field part of the Frontier League season begins for the Wild Things with their annual open tryout Saturday morning at Consol Energy Park. The Frontier League's tryout and player draft - each team must select at least 2 players - will be Monday and Tuesday in Washington.

If you check the Wild Things' roster, you might notice there are at least two positions in which depth is needed. One is catcher, where only Steve Pickerell and injured Kris Rochelle are on the roster.

The other position is first base, where Washington does not have a player with pro experience. Only Peters Township graduate Aaron Janusey is on the roster as a first baseman.

The Wild Things were expected to announce the signing of three more players as early as Wednesday, but that hasn't happened. Word is they were to sign catcher Alan Robbins, along with a first baseman/outfielder-type player and an infielder. Robbins was a teammate of Jacob Dempsey and Chris Carrara at Winthrop University and spent three years in the Philadelphia Phillies' system. he has the reputation of being a good catch-and-throw guy, better defensively than with the bat.

UPDATE: The Wild Things announced the signing of Robbins late Friday afternoon. Washington also signed one outfielder and lost another.

Signing was Alex Paluka, a Murrysville native and Franklin Regional High School graduate. Paluka played at the University of Iowa and Eastern Connecticut State before concluding his career at Point Park. Paluka played four years at Franklin Regional under Wild Things pitching coach Larry Wayman. Paluka batted only .235 for Point Park last spring.

"Alex is someone who we've worked out, and we've watched him hit. … We liked what we saw and wanted to give him an opportunity to come to camp," added Mason.

Washington also announced the retirement of outfielder Jason Appel who, judging by the current roster, would have seen significant playing time. This roster move leaves the Wild Things with only two outfielders with pro experience (none at the affiliated level), Chris Sidick and Matt Sutton. Not a good way to start camp.