Cornbelter's use five run fifth to avoid Lake Erie sweep
Published on May 24, 2012 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release
NORMAL, Ill. - The Normal Cornbelters scored five runs on five hits in the fifth inning of Thursday night's contest, to snap a 1-1 tie, as they avoided the three game sweep, taking the final game of the series from the Crushers, 7-2.
The Crushers (2-4) stranded 11 base runners on the night, and walked eight times on the evening. The Cornbelters (2-3) scored their first victory in six days with the win.
For the first time in the series, the Cornbelters got on the board first. Derek Luciano stroked a two-out single, and stole second base. He came in moments later on Mitch Rider's base hit to left field.
Lake Erie tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fifth inning. Wally Correa began the inning with a double. Robby Kuzdale then walked with one out, bringing Adrian Ortiz to the plate. Ortiz hit a ground ball to Chico Gomez at second, who threw to the bag for the force out, but Kuzdale's hard slide into the bag caused shortstop Robert Brooks's throw to first base to be off target, which allowed Correa to score.
Normal then exploded for five runs on five hits to put the game out of reach in the bottom of the inning. Gomez walked to start the inning, and found his way to third after back-to-back singles from Justin Clark and Alvaro Ramirez. Sam Judah followed with a Grand Slam off of Eric Gonzalez-Diaz (0-2). Luciano drove in the final run of the inning on a groundout.
Normal added another run in the sixth inning. Ramirez reached on a two out base hit. He made his way to second on a wild pitch and stole third, before scoring on a single from Judah.
The Crushers pushed their final run across in the seventh inning. Kyle Shaffer walked to start the inning, and stole second base. Brandon Decker, who reached three times in the contest, smashed an RBI single to score Shaffer.
Normal starting pitcher Tyler Stovall (1-1) scored the victory, despite walking five batters on the night. He allowed just a run on three hits with four strikeouts over five and two-thirds. Gonzalez-Diaz suffered the loss, after allowing six runs on nine hits over four and a third.
Every player in the Crushers' starting lineup reached base at least once. Three players, Decker, Andrew Davis and Russ Moldenhauer, reached multiple times.
The Crushers will begin a three game series with the Rockford Riverhawks, in Rockford, Ill. on Friday night. Right hander Mickey Jannis (0-1, 9.00) will take the mound for the Crushers, and the Riverhawks will counter with right hander Cody Hallahan (0-0, 0.00). The first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 PM.
The Lake Erie Crushers, the 2009 Frontier League Champions, and 2011 Frontier League Organization of the year, play ball at All Pro Freight Stadium, a 5,000 capacity stadium located in Avon, Ohio. The Frontier League is an independent baseball league with 12 teams operating throughout the Midwest. Season tickets for the 2011 season are on sale now! For more information on tickets, promotions and team news, visit the team website at www.LakeErieCrushers.com or call 440-934-3636.
Frontier League Stories from May 24, 2012
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