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FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers leave six in scoring position in 3-2 loss

June 29, 2013 - Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- The Lake Erie Crushers squandered a number of opportunities to score on Saturday night against the Traverse City Beach Bums, as they left six runners in scoring position in a 3-2 loss.

Lake Erie (17-20) was held to just five hits on the night, and they've recorded just eight hits over the first two games of the series, while the win for the Beach Bums (24-14) was their fourth in five games against the Crushers this season.

The loss for Lake Erie spoiled an outstanding outing from Dave Middendorf (5-3) who went the distance. The lefty tossed eight innings, and allowed a trio of runs on only five hits, while fanning eight batters in the process, but took the loss.

The Beach Bums did most of their damage with two outs in the first inning. After Middendorf struck out the first two batters, Jose Vargas belted his first of two solo homers on the night. Chase Burch followed with a double, and Carlo Testa then singled to right field. On the single to right, Daniel Bowman's throw to the plate beat Burch, but he knocked the ball out of Emmanuel Quiles's glove to score the run, giving the Beach Bums a 2-0 lead.

Lake Erie answered with a run in the next half inning. Bowman started the inning with a single, and made his way to third after back-to-back one out walks were issued to Ricardo Lizcano and Juan Sanchez. Casper drove Bowman home on a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to one (2-1).

Middendorf was dominant the rest of the way after the first inning, allowing just two hits over his final seven innings on the slab. Unfortunately for the Crushers, one of those hits was a solo homer from Vargas, his second of the night, coming in the sixth inning.

It appeared as though the Crushers had tied the game in the top of the eighth. Russ Moldenhauer stroked a one out single to right, and scored moments later when Bowman belted a triple to the gap in right center. Quiles followed with a fly ball to right field. Bowman scored on the play, but the Beach Bums asked for an appeal, saying that Bowman left third base too early, and he was called out on the play.

In the ninth, the Crushers had the tying run at second base when the game ended, and they hit into three separate inning ending double plays.

Kyle Teague (1-0) scored the victory for the Beach Bums in his first professional start. He went six innings, and allowed a run on three hits over six frames, while walking five and fanning six. Nick Capito (5) came away with a two inning save, after allowing a run on two hits with a strikeout.

Bowman and Moldenhauer led the way for the Crushers offensively, as they reached three times in four plate appearances. Bowman went 2-for-3 with a single, a triple and a walk, while Moldenhauer went 1-for-2 with a base hit and a pair of free passes.

The Crushers will finish their three game series with the Traverse City Beach Bums at Wuerfel Park on Sunday evening. The Crushers will start right hander Matt Smith (2-1, 4.41) and the Beach Bums will start righty Scott Dunn (7-0, 2.27). The first pitch is scheduled for 5:05 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 2013 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 29, 2013


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