Beach Bums fall to Crushers

June 15, 2009 - Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release


AVON, Ohio - The Traverse City Beach Bums dropped the opener of a three-game series with the Lake Erie Crushers on Monday night, falling 8-5 in a back and forth affair.

Lake Erie opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning. Gordie Gronkowski singled with one out but was replaced on a fielder's choice by Tim Binkoski. Binkoski stole second, reached third on a wild pitch, and scored the first run of the evening on an RBI triple by Arden McWilliams.

The Beach Bums came back and took the lead by scoring two runs in the top of the third inning against Lake Erie starter Darwin DeLeon. James Guererro came up with a one-out single and Mike Epping followed by coaxing a walk. John Alonso tied the game with a run scoring single on the first pitch. With two outs Brian Lapin singled up the middle to plate Epping to make it 2-1. Lapin drove home another run in the fifth, plating Mike Epping, who doubled to lead off the inning.

The Crushers scored runs in their next three plate appearances to gain control in the contest. Trailing 3-2, Lake Erie scored three runs in the sixth to take a 5-3 advantage. All three runs came with two outs against Beach Bums starter Jason Kiley. Arden McWilliams doubled home two more runs and Wayne Bond converted on an RBI single. Kiley did not factor in the decision, throwing six innings for the Beach Bums and surrendering five runs on six hits.

Brian Lapin continued his strong evening by driving in two more runs in the seventh to tie the game at 5-5. Mike Epping walked to start the frame and John Alonso followed with a single. Both runners moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Patrick Perry. Lapin greeted new Lake Erie pitcher Cristobal Mata with a single to center, scoring two.

With Ryan Kruszka on in relief of Kiley in the seventh, Lake Erie got two runs when Andrew Davis connected on a two-run homer with one out. The homer cleared the wall in right and was on a 2-1 pitch. The Crushers picked up an unearned insurance run in the eighth against Jared Locke. Kruszka took the loss in his first professional decision while Mata picked up the win and Jacinto Gonell tallied his third save.

Brian Lapin paced the Beach Bums offense by finishing 3-for-5 with four RBIs. Mike Epping and John Alonso also had two hits in the game.

The series will continue tomorrow with a morning game. First pitch is scheduled for 11:05 am. The Beach Bums will send RHP David Nathanson (0-4, 5.28) to the hill while the Crushers counter with LHP Kevin Skogley (1-0, 5.64).



Frontier League Stories from June 15, 2009


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