FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers Fall to Wild Things

Published on June 30, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


WASHINGTON, Pa. - Danny Poma's walk off three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning pushed the Washington Wild Things past the Lake Erie Crushers, 5-2, on Tuesday night at Consol Energy Park.

The loss for the Crushers (15-22) was their third in their last four games following a four game winning streak, while the win for the Wild Things (16-24) was their third in four games against the Crushers this season. The game started an hour late due to rain, and was attended by Pete Rose, who spent an inning coaching at first and third base for Washington.

Once again, the pitching was very impressive on both sides. Both starting pitchers fared well. Lake Erie's Hunter Adkins allowed a pair of runs on three hits over five innings, while Luke Wilkins lasted seven innings and allowed just a run on four hits with four strikeouts, but neither would factor into the decision.

Poma's walk off homer wasn't the only long ball of the night for the Wild Things, as Matt Ford smashed a solo homer in the bottom of the second inning to snap a scoreless tie.

Washington struck again one inning later, as they recorded a pair of two-out hits to take the lead. CJ Beatty belted a two-out triple into the right field corner, and he came home a few moments later as Scott Kalamar followed with a RBI single through the right side of the infield.

The Crushers began battling back in the sixth inning. Ty Nelson reached on a one out walk, before stealing second. After stealing second, he advanced to third on Washington catcher John Fidanza's errant throw to second, and scored later in the inning on Anderson Hidalgo's sacrifice fly.

Lake Erie tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the eighth inning. Frank Desico walked to start the inning, and stole second base. Austin Prott's groundout to first pushed Desico over to second, and he scored moments later on Nelson's RBI single to right.

David Popkins reached in the bottom of the ninth on a one out walk. Austin Wobrock bunted him over to second, and Washington called on Andrew Heck to pinch run for Popkins. Heck advanced to third on Emmanuel Quiles's errant pickoff throw to second, before another walk was issued to Fidanza, setting up Poma's three-run homer to end the game.

Matt Purnell (1-0) tossed a perfect ninth inning to score his first victory of the season, while Trevor Longfellow (2-2) took the loss after allowing two runs on one hit over an inning of relief.

Hidalgo led the way for the Crushers offensively, going 2-for-2 with a pair of singles, and reached on a walk as well, while Nelson went 1-for-2, and reached three times on the night.

The Crushers will continue their three-game series with the Washington Wild Things at Consol Energy Park on Wednesday night. Right-hander Rob Blanc (0-2, 2.12) will start for the Crushers, while the Wild Things will throw right-hander Ernie Zaragoza (3-2, 3.08). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 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 30, 2015


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