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FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers fall to Otters

July 12, 2014 - Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The Lake Erie Crushers stranded nine runners, five in scoring position and had two runners thrown out at home plate in a 6-1 loss to the Evansville Otters at Bosse Field on Saturday night.

The loss for the Crushers (26-24) marks their first road series loss since being swept by the Gateway Grizzlies back on June 15, while the victory for the Otters (30-18) marks their sixth consecutive series victory.

Unlike the previous night, the Crushers had plenty of chances to score, but didn't cash in until they were down 6-0 in the top of the ninth inning, when Matt Dickason's groundout scored Kevin Franchetti to plate Lake Erie's only run.

Evansville snapped a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third. Phillip Wilson started the inning with a double down the left field line, and moved to second on Kolin Conner's groundout before scoring on a groundout from Cory Urquhart.

The Otters then used the long ball to increase their advantage in the home half of the fourth inning. A walk was issued to Chris Elder to start the inning and Shayne Houck followed with a two-run blast, his second in as many days, and his 12th of the season. Two batters later, Chris Sweeney belted a solo shot to right to give the Otters a 4-0 lead.

Evansville added single runs in the sixth and eighth to pull away. Houck started the sixth inning with a double to left center before advancing to third on a wild pitch, and he scored on Jeremy Nowack's sacrifice fly. Sweeney belted a one out double in the eighth, and scored on a two out single from Wilson.

Lake Erie had two runners thrown out at home plate, both ended innings. Juan Sanchez stroked a two out single through the left side of the infield in the top of the fifth, with Kevin Franchetti on second, but Franchetti was thrown out at the dish by Elder in left. The game ended when Hertler singled into right field, but JR Higley threw Zach Bricknell out at the plate for the final out.

Zach Fowler (1-1) scored the victory for Evansville, allowing seven hits through 6.2 scoreless innings of action and struck out eight along the way. Mickey Jannis (2-4) took the loss, after allowing five runs on seven hits while striking out six over seven innings of work.

Hertler had a great day at the plate for the Crushers, reaching four times in five plate appearances with a pair of walks and two singles as well. Ryan Hutchison turned in a pair of hits as well in a 2-for-4 performance and Bricknell had a pair of base hits as well.

The Crushers will finish their three-game series with the Evansville Otters at Historic Bosse Field on Sunday night. Righty Trevor Longfellow (4-2, 2.02) will throw for the Crushers and the Otters will counter with left-hander Blake Monar (1-1, 9.95). The first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM.

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