Crushers lose late lead in 5-4 loss to Beach Bums
Published on May 29, 2018 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release
AVON, Ohio - The Lake Erie Crushers, presented by Mercy Health, saw a late lead disappear on Tuesday night at Sprenger HealthCare Stadium, as they dropped their series opener, 5-4 to the Traverse City Beach Bums.
The loss for the Crushers (10-6) was just their second in seven home games this season, while the victory for the Beach Bums (8-8) was their fourth in their last five games.
Lake Erie fired the first shot, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. Cameron Newell started the inning with a walk before Matt Dacey reached on a one out error. Aaron Hill walked to load the bases and Conner Simonetti followed with a RBI single to right. Brandy Conlan then reached on a fielder's choice which allowed Dacey to score.
The Crushers added another run in the home half of the second to take a 3-0 lead. Dane Hutcheon reached on a one out single. Newell followed with a line drive single to right, and Traverse City's right fielder, Isaac Benard misplayed it, which allowed Hutcheon to score from first.
After going quietly through the first three innings, the Beach Bums made some noise in the top of the fourth. Benard reached on a one out walk, before Will Kengor stroked a double down the line in right, which was Traverse City's first hit of the game. Luke Lowery then reached on an infield single which brought Benard home, and Kengor scored moments later on Alexy Rivera's sacrifice fly.
The Crushers added another run in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-2 advantage. The inning began on back-to-back singles from Dalton Wheat and Brian Mayer. Hutcheon laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners, and Newell brought Wheat home on a RBI groundout.
Traverse City used a pair of doubles to draw one run closer in the top of the sixth. Kengor started the inning with a double to left and came around to score on Alexy Rivera's RBI double to right.
Lake Erie was one out away from a victory, after Branden Nunn (0-1) retired the first two batters in the top of the ninth. However, he issued a four-pitch walk to Arby Fields, before Benard singled, and Kengor struck again with a clutch, two-out, two-run double to left.
Nunn allowed the two runs on two hits in his only inning of work and took the loss. Kenneth Knudsen (1-0) scored the victory for the Beach Bums after tossing a scoreless inning of action, while Jonathan Michael Knighton (2) worked a scoreless ninth to snag the save.
Three Crushers hit safely in the loss. Newell, LaChance and Simonetti all hit safely two times for the Crushers. Simonetti has now hit safely in four straight games, with seven hits during that stretch. Hutcheon's single in the first inning extended his hitting streak to seven games, while Hill reached two times and has now reached safely in seven straight games.
The Crushers will continue their three game series with the Traverse City Beach Bums at Sprenger Healthcare Stadium on Wednesday night. Right-hander Alex Romero (2-1, 1.42) will get the start for the Crushers and the Beach Bums will counter with lefty John Havird (0-1, 5.29). 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.
Frontier League Stories from May 29, 2018
- Wild Things' Bats Go Quiet in Opener in Joliet - Washington Wild Things
- Slammers Top Washington in Series Opener 2-1 Tuesday Night - Joliet Slammers
- Kengor's Three Double Game Give Bums Win over Lake Erie - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Crushers lose late lead in 5-4 loss to Beach Bums - Lake Erie Crushers
- Boomers Get Looney this Friday - Schaumburg Boomers
- Game Postponed Tuesday, Doubleheader Wednesday - Southern Illinois Miners
- Former Pitching Coach Thrives in Minors - Normal CornBelters
- Otters' June Promotions Feature $2 Tuesday, Superhero Night, Thirsty Thursday and More - Evansville Otters
- Wild Things Sign Former Binghamton LHP - Washington Wild Things
- Hearn Signs with Rockies - Gateway Grizzlies
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
