FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers haunted by two big innings in 9-2 loss to Beach Bums

May 30, 2018 - Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


AVON, Ohio - The Lake Erie Crushers, presented by Mercy Health, fell victim to a pair of big innings on Wednesday night at Sprenger Healthcare Stadium, as they lost the second game of their series in a 9-2 setback to the Traverse City Beach Bums.

After winning their first five home games of the season, the Crushers (10-7) have now lost three straight at home, while the victory for the Beach Bums (9-8) was their fifth in their last six games.

The Crushers were haunted by a three-run third and the Beach Bums essentially put the game away by scoring six in the sixth inning, which was highlighted by Isaac Benard's Grand Slam.

For the second night in a row, the Crushers fired the first shot. Dalton Wheat smacked a two out single to center, and Aaron Hill brought him home a few moments later as he stroked a run scoring triple to the gap in right center field.

The lead didn't last long, as the Beach Bums plated a trio of runs on four hits in the top of the third. Arby Fields reached on a leadoff single, and scored two batters later on Will Kengor's two-run homer to left, his second of the season. Luke Lowery followed the homer with a single to left before stealing second base, and scored on Steve Lohr's two out RBI single to right.

The Crushers added another run in the bottom of the fifth to draw within a run (3-2). Hill and Doug Trimble reached on back-to-back singles, before Dane Hutcheon reached on a fielder's choice which allowed Hill to score.

As it turned out, that was as close as the Crushers would get the rest of the way. The Beach Bums put the game out of reach with a six run sixth inning. They sent 10 batters to the plate and scored six times on four hits. Kenny Peoples-Walls drove in the first run with a RBI single to left, before Fields walked with the bases loaded, and Benard capped the big inning with a Grand Slam, his second homer of the year.

Former Ohio State Buckeye John Havird (1-1) was credited with the victory for Traverse City after allowing just a pair of runs, only one earned on six hits over eight innings while fanning eight batters in the process. The reigning Frontier League Pitcher of the Week, Alex Romero (2-2) took the loss after allowing seven runs on 10 hits over five innings of work.

Hill paced the Crushers with a pair of hits on the night, going 2-for-3 and has now reached in eight straight games. Wheat went 1-for-3 and has now hit safely and scored a run in each of his last five games. Conner Simonetti extended his hitting streak to five games, going 1-for-4 with a single.

The Crushers will finish their three game series with the Traverse City Beach Bums at Sprenger Healthcare Stadium on Thursday night. Right-hander Sean Renzi (2-1, 2.50) will get the start for the Crushers and the Beach Bums will counter with righty Jordan Desguin (2-0, 0.75). The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM.

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.

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Frontier League Stories from May 30, 2018


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