Crusher Pitching Shuts Down Kings For 2-1 Series Lead
September 11, 2009 - Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release
Avon, OH-The Lake Erie Crushers are just a win away from playing for the Frontier League Championship after winning game three of the Divisional Series against Kalamazoo by the final of 4-2 on Friday night at All Pro Freight Stadium. Lake Erie leads the best-of-five series two games to one.
Alberto Rolon won his second game of the series, pitching three-and-a third scoreless innings of relief for Brent Lysander. Rolon did not allow a hit while striking out three and walking four. He paved the way for Crusher closer J.J. Pacella, who struck out the side in the ninth to earn the save. "That was pretty much how we had planned it from the outset tonight," said Lake Erie Manager John Massarelli afterwards. "We wanted Brent (Lysander) to give us five innings and he came very close to that. Rolon was outstanding and J.J. did his job to wrap it up."
The Crushers fell behind early as Matt Maloney hit a first inning sacrifice fly off of Lysander to give the Kings a 1-0 lead. Lysander was able to work out of several jams early on and lasted four and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking six. The Crushers got on the board in the third as Wayne Bond led off the inning with a single, moved to second on a passed ball, went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kylee Hash, and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Jodam Rivera to tie the game.
Lake Erie would take the lead for good in the fourth inning as Gordon Gronkowski and Tyler Johnson hit back-to-back doubles to give the Crushers a 2-1 lead. Eddie Tisdale followed with an RBI single to plate Johnson to extend the lead to 3-1. Tisdale is now hitting .636 in the postseason with six runs batted in.
Kalamazoo would add a run in the fifth against Lysander on a Maloney RBI single, but Rolon stuck out Amos Ramon with two on to prevent any further damage. The Crushers added some insurance in the eighth inning as a squeeze bunt by Arden McWilliams brought home pinch runner Jesse Gibson for the final run of the night.
The Crushers and Kings will meet on Saturday afternoon for game 4 at 1:05 P.M. It will be a rematch of game one starters John Brownell for Kalamazoo and Cardoza Tucker for Lake Erie. "Tonight was a win, that's two, but we need one more," said Massarelli. "Kalamazoo is a good team and they'll give us their best effort tomorrow. Hopefully we can match that."
The Lake Erie Crushers are the newest expansion team in the Frontier League, an independent professional league with 12 teams throughout the Midwest. The team plays its home games at All Pro Freight Stadium, the new 5,000 capacity ballpark located at the intersection of I-90 and Route 611 in Avon. Season tickets and Mini-plans 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 September 11, 2009
- Rascals Complete The Sweep; Head To First Championship Series - River City Rascals
- Crusher Pitching Shuts Down Kings For 2-1 Series Lead - Lake Erie Crushers
- Bolts season comes to end with first round playoff loss - Windy City ThunderBolts
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