Crushers Drop Heartbreaker
Published on May 26, 2018 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release
O'FALLON, MO - The Lake Erie Crushers, presented by Mercy, fell on the road to the first place River City Rascals (9-3) on Friday night by the score of 5-4. The Crushers trailed all night before rallying in the ninth, however, the Rascals were able to walk it off in the bottom of the ninth.
Lake Erie (8-5) gave the ball to Juan Perez to start the three-game series. Perez cruised through the first few innings before allowing a run in the fourth inning. He allowed another run in the fifth inning but was able to limit the damage, stranding a pair.
Perez went six innings and earned a no-decision after allowing two runs on five hits. He struck out five but walked four.
Mason Klotz entered the game in the seventh for Lake Erie. He allowed a walk and a couple of hits before Mike Jurgella worked a bases loaded walk, making it 3-0.
The Crushers couldn't get anything going against Rascals starter Dan Ludwig who went seven innings. Ludwig surrendered five hits but nothing more and earned a no-decision.
In the eighth inning, River City went to their bullpen and the Lake Erie bats woke up. A double by Dane Hutcheon and a single by Cameron Newell, plated a run for the Crushers.
Sean Hurley forced a walk with two outs and that brought the go-ahead run to the plate. Matt Dacey then singled home Newell and it was 3-2. River City would go to Cody Mincy (2-1) to get the last out and end the inning.
Richard McWilliams pitched the bottom of the eighth for Lake Erie. He allowed a single and three walks, including one with the bases loaded, making it 4-2 Rascals. The Lake Erie pitching staff walked 10 in the game.
Once again, the Crushers would respond, this time in the ninth inning. With a man on, Dalton Wheat blasted his first home run of the season off of Mincy and the game was tied.
River City put the leadoff man aboard in the bottom of the ninth and they brought in Taylor Love to pinch run. Kevin Suarez was next and he doubled down the left field line. Taylor got caught up between third and home and Bryan DeLaRosa applied the tag to keep the game alive but Suarez advanced to third.
After an intentional walk issued was to Clint Freeman to set up a potential double play, Gerrion Grim hit a high chopper to third. Hutcheon's throw to the plate was late and the winning run score for River City.
The Crushers will send Sean Renzi (1-1) to the mound on Saturday while the Rascals turn to Scott Grist (2-0). Game time is set for 6:35 CDT.
The Lake Erie Crushers, the 2009 Frontier League Champions, and 2011 Frontier League Organization of the year, play ball at Sprenger Health Care 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. 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 26, 2018
- Normal Splits Doubleheader against Windy City - Normal CornBelters
- Grizzlies Lose Extra-Inning Heartbreaker - Gateway Grizzlies
- Rascals Fall to Crushers - River City Rascals
- Boomers Score Walkoff Win over Gateway - Schaumburg Boomers
- Freedom Drop Series To Washington With Middle Game Loss - Florence Y'alls
- ThunderBolts Split Doubleheader in Normal - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Crushers Even Series With Rascals - Lake Erie Crushers
- Evansville Tops Traverse City 5-2 - Evansville Otters
- Wild Things Take Game Two of Series 3-1 - Washington Wild Things
- Miners Fall Hard to Slammers on Saturday Night - Southern Illinois Miners
- Slammers Bats Explode in 11-4 Win Saturday Night - Joliet Slammers
- Pitchers Duel Ends in Beach Bums Loss - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Miners Rally Late to Stun Slammers - Southern Illinois Miners
- Crushers Drop Heartbreaker - Lake Erie Crushers
- Rascals Win 6th Straight on Walk-Off - River City Rascals
- Slammers Fall to Southern Illinois Despite Offensive Surge - Joliet Slammers
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