FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers fall to Cornbelters in well-pitched 3-1 loss

Published on June 20, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


NORMAL, Ill. -- The Lake Erie Crushers allowed just a trio of runs on six hits to the Normal Cornbelters on Saturday evening at the Corn Crib, but that wasn't enough to stop their losing streak from reaching four, as they fell, 3-1.

The loss for the Crushers (10-19) was their fourth in a row, and their third straight on the road, while the win for the CornBelters (18-13) was their second in a row, following a five game losing streak.

Pitching was strong on both sides. Both starting pitchers performed extremely well, as Rob Blanc (0-2) allowed a pair of runs over 5.1 innings of action, while Kevin Johnson (3-1) surrendered an unearned run over seven innings.

The Crushers took their first lead of the series, by scoring their only run of the series in the top of the second. Joey Burney drilled a one out double to the gap in right center, before advancing to third on a wild pitch, and eventually scored on a passed ball.

Lake Erie had the bases loaded in the top of the third, but could not capitalize on the opportunity, and from that point forward, recorded just one hit.

The CornBelters did all of their damage in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jason Merjano started the inning with a solo homer to left. Sam Sulcoski then singled, and two batters later, Mark Micowski singled to put runners at first and second with one out. Pat McKenna then hit a ground ball to third, which was fielded cleanly by Anderson Hidalgo. Hidalgo tagged out Sulcoski on his way to third, but in an attempt to complete an inning ending double play, his throw to first sailed over Emmanuel Quiles's head.

The errant throw put runners on second and third, and the next batter, Sam Judah belted the eventual game winning two-out single to right, to score Micowski and McKenna.

Austin Prott made an incredible catch in the loss for the Crushers, stealing a homerun from Santiago Chirino in the seventh inning. Chirino belted it high and deep to left, but Prott leaped over the wall and made the catch.

Johnson scored the win for the CornBelters, allowing just the unearned run on five hits while fanning six batters over seven innings, and Race Parmenter (4) scored the save, after tossing two scoreless innings in relief. Blanc took the hard luck loss after allowing two runs, only one earned on four hits and struck out six over 5.1 innings of work.

Hidalgo paced the Crushers offensively with a pair of singles, going 2-for-4 on the night. Jose Barraza reached three times, on a pair of walks and a base hit.

The Crushers will finish their three-game series with the Normal CornBelters at the Corn Crib on Sunday afternoon. Left-hander Brad Zambron (0-2, 5.33) will start for the Crushers, while the CornBelters will throw right-hander Mike Schweiss (2-3, 3.75). The first pitch is scheduled for 4:05 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 14 teams operating throughout the Midwest. Season tickets for the 2015 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.

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Frontier League Stories from June 20, 2015


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