FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers held to one hit in 1-0 loss

Published on September 1, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


AVON, Ohio. - Three Washington Wild Things' hurlers combined to toss a one hit shutout on Thursday night at All Pro Freight Stadium, as the Wild Things spoiled Lake Erie's attempt at a sweep, with a 1-0 victory.

The loss for the Crushers (49-43) marked the third time this season that they squandered an opportunity to sweep Washington, and puts them a half game behind the Traverse City Beach Bums for the final playoff spot in the Frontier League's Eastern Division. The win for the Wild Things (40-52) snapped their seven game losing streak.

The shutout loss was Lake Erie's second in their last four days, and their fourth of the season.

Lake Erie's lone hit was a two out single from Kyle Shaffer in the bottom of the second inning, and the Crushers had just two base runners reach scoring position all night long.

The Wild Things had two chances to score early on. Chris Sidick stole third base with two outs in the first inning, and on the play tried to score on a wild pitch, but was thrown out at home plate.

In the second, Luis Rivera led off with single and moved to second after Estee Harris walked. Tim Battle laid a bunt down on the left side of the infield, and Rivera was thrown out at third base on the play. Thomas Campbell retired the next two batters to keep the Wild Things off the board.

The lone run scored in the top of the eighth inning, when Eric Stephens belted a solo homerun, his seventh of the season, off of Paul Daniels (5-2).

Former Crushers' pitcher Chris Smith (1-2) tossed seven sensational innings. The right-hander allowed no runs on one hit and fanned seven in a winning effort. Sheffield Lake, Ohio, native, Steven Grife tossed a 1-2-3 eighth inning to hold the lead, and Taylor Wulf (12) snagged the save with a scoreless ninth inning.

Campbell started the game for the Crushers, and worked five scoreless innings, allowing just three hits, and walked three. Daniels suffered the loss, after allowing the solo homer to Stephens, which was the only hit he allowed over two and two-thirds. Kelyn Schellenberg retired all four batters he faced.

The Crushers will finish the regular season, with a crucial three game series at Wuerfel Park against the Traverse City Beach Bums on Friday night. The Crushers will start left-hander Paul Fagan (7-10, 4.04), and the Beach Bums will counter with left-hander David Deminsky (0-2, 8.41). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

The Lake Erie Crushers, the 2009 Frontier League Champions, 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 12 teams operating throughout the Midwest. Season tickets for the 2011 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 September 1, 2011


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