Aug 30, 2014 2 min read

SAUGET, Ill. – Carter Bell smashed a grand slam in the first inning to help the Wild Things clinch a spot in the Frontier League playoffs with an 11-4 victory over the Gateway Grizzlies Saturday night at GSC Ballpark.

The Wild Things have not made a playoff appearance since 2007. Washington is holding the fifth playoff spot in the league.

Bell finished the game with five RBI and Washington scored four runs in the third, one in the fourth and two in the fifth to build an 11-1 lead over Gateway.

The Wild Things pummeled Gateway starter Daniel Cropper and reliever Dejai Oliver for 10 of their 12 hits and all 11 runs.

Jose Dore had a two-run single and Austin Wobrock added a two-run double in the four-run third.

Bell drove in his fifth run of the game and 35th of the season with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the fourth inning and Ryan Kresky drove in a run in the fifth with a double.

Matt Sergey, who tossed the Frontier League’s first perfect game in his last outing, went 5 2/3 innings and allowed two runs, five hits and four walks. He struck out five. Sergey raised his record to 3-0.

Gateway fell to 49-43.