FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers outlast Rascals

Published on July 8, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


O'FALLON, MO. - In a contest that saw 10 pitching changes, 20 runs, and 32 hits, the Lake Erie Crushers endured a four hour and seven minute marathon, taking the series opener against the River City Rascals, 11-9 at T.R. Hughes Ballpark on Friday night.

For the Crushers, (21-24) the victory gives them three in a row, and three in their last 11 games. The loss for River City (31-14) was just their second against the Crushers this season.

The two teams exchanged runs in the first inning. Andrew Davis's sacrifice fly plated Jodam Rivera in the top of the inning, and Chad Maddox tied it in the bottom of the frame on a run scoring single. The Crushers responded with a pair in the second, getting an RBI triple from Patrick Norris and he scored on T.J. Baumet's groundout.

The Rascals then scored four runs in the bottom of the second to take their only lead of the night, but the Crushers came right back with a trio of runs in the top of the third to take their third lead of the contest. Kellen Kulbacki drove in the first run with an RBI double down the right field line, before Davis came home on a wild pitch, and Jason Taylor drove in the final run on a sacrifice fly.

An RBI single from the Danny Sawyer in the bottom of the third inning tied the game at 6-6. The Crushers then received three consecutive two out singles that produced three runs in the top of the fourth to take their fourth lead of the night, one they would not surrender. Joel Collins, Taylor and Norris smacked back-to-back-to-back two out RBI singles.

After being blanked in the fourth, marking the first scoreless half inning of the game, the Rascals scored twice on a double from Chris McClendon to get back with in a run (9-8). Taylor belted another RBI single in the sixth inning, and Robby Kuzdale scored on a wild pitch in the eighth to put the Crushers ahead by three. Jason Patton ripped an RBI double in the bottom of the eighth to bring the Rascals back within two.

The game ended with the tying run at the plate. Stephen Holdren, who has the second most homeruns in the history of the Frontier League hit a deep fly ball to left field, which Kuzdale caught with his back against the wall.

Both starting pitchers failed to make it through the third inning. Randy Sturgill (3-0) allowed a run on two hits with three strikeouts over an inning and two thirds to score the victory, while Ruben Flores struck out three and allowed no runs on a hit over an inning and two thirds to score his seventh save of the season. Erick Carillo (0-2) relieved starter Don Lisi in the third inning, and was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs on six hits over an inning and two thirds.

Seven players hit safely multiple times for the Crushers. Norris, Mahin and Kulbacki led the way with three hits a piece. Rivera, Taylor, Davis and Baumet all hit safely twice. The 18 hits established a new season high for the Crushers. Taylor led the Crushers with three RBIs, and Norris knocked in two. Norris has driven in five runs over the first three games of the road trip.

Davis extended his on base streak to 16 games, while Rivera extended his to 12. Kulbacki reached in all five plate appearances, extending his hitting streak to 12 games, and his on base streak to 18.

The Crushers will continue the three game series against the River City Rascals at T.R. Hughes Ballpark on Saturday night. Left hander Andrew Weeks (3-2, 4.47) will start for the Crushers and the Rascals will counter with right hander Josh Lowey (3-2, 3.05).The first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 PM.

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Frontier League Stories from July 8, 2011


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