FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers Postseason Bound

Published on September 4, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


Traverse City, Michigan. - It took ten innings, and spectacular pitching, but the Crushers pulled off the improbable series win over the Traverse City Beach Bums and punched their ticket to Joliet for the East Division playoffs.

Josh Roberts got the start for the Crushers and pitched seven shut out innings, walking three and striking out one. He finished the season with a 10-6 record, and absolutely shout down one of the best offenses in the Frontier League. The only trouble Roberts got himself into was in the second inning. He loaded the bases with nobody out, but then induced Jeff Flagg into a 1-2-3 double play and got Stephen Shults to fly out to right field to end the threat. He cruised from that point.

The Crushers bullpen, which has been so good this season, started things off a little shaky. Travis Risser relieved Roberts and allowed a solo home run to Jeff Flagg, which tied the game in the eighth. He would settle to retire the side. Chris Allen (4-2) pitched a perfect ninth and earned the win. Ruben Flores was dominant once again and shut the door on the Beach Bums for his 21st save.

The offense was sparse for the Crushers tonight, but it came just when they needed it most. The game was deadlocked at zero in the seventh inning, when Jason Taylor led off with a double to deep left-center. Kellen Kulbacki, who has been so clutch all season for the team, followed with an RBI single to get the Crushers on the board.

Then, in a tie game in the tenth inning, the Crushers offense really came to life. Robby Kuzdale pinch hit for Zach Messer, who is battling an injury. Kuzdale singled off of Beach Bums closer Scott Mueller's leg to lead off the inning. Two batters later, Patrick Norris ripped a double to left, putting Crushers on second and third. Kulbacki was intentionally walked, bringing up veteran Crushers catcher Joel Collins. Collins hit the first pitch he saw into right field, scoring Kuzdale and Norris, and giving the Crushers a lead they would never relinquish.

For the Beach Bums, David Nathanson pitched seven strong innings for the Beach Bums, allowing only the one run off the bat of Kulbacki. Scott Dunn then pitched two scoreless innings for the Beach Bums. For closer Scott Mueller, the loss was only his second on the season, as he has been a very dependable back of the bullpen pitcher.

The Crushers will now take on the Joliet Slammers in the East Divisional round of the playoffs. The series will be a best of five format and will start in Joliet on Wednesday. The first two games will be played in Joliet on Wednesday and Thursday, and then they will come to Avon and All Pro Freight Stadium. Crushers home games are scheduled for Saturday, September 10th at 7:05pm and Sunday (if necessary), September 11th at 5:05pm.

This marks the second time in the three years the Crushers have been in existence that they have made the Frontier League playoffs. The last time was 2009, when they went on to win the Frontier League Championship.

Playoff tickets go on sale Monday, September 5th at the Crushers box office. You can also call (440) 934-3636 or go online to www.lakeeriecrushers.com

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 4, 2011


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