Crushers slam Freedom
Published on July 25, 2009 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release
Avon, OH - The Lake Erie Crushers accomplished yet another first at All Pro Freight Stadium on Saturday night. Gordon Gronkowski hit the team's first grand slam to power the way to a 10-4 win and a three game sweep of the Florence Freedom.
Gronkowski's shot to right field in the third inning helped to erase a 3-0 Florence lead and paved the way towards the sweep. "It was awesome," said Gronkowski afterwards as he stayed late to sign autographs for the youngsters in attendance. "It's a great feeling to contribute to this team, especially with the way we've been playing right now. Just unbelievable." Lake Erie has won seven of their nine games since the All-Star Break.
Jodam Rivera and Drew Saylor each had RBI singles to compliment Gronkowski's grand slam in the third inning and the twosome would strike again in the sixth inning. Rivera hit an RBI single, followed by a Saylor run-scoring double and an Andrew Davis RBI double to push Lake Erie's lead to 9-3. The Crushers would close the scoring in the seventh inning when Arden McWilliams scored on an error on Florence third baseman Johnny Welch.
Things did not start off well for Lake Erie as Crusher starter Tommy Vassella spotted Florence a 3-0 heading into the bottom of the third. But the Crusher bullpen would get the job done as Josh Faiola, Ronnie Morales, and Shannon Sprouse would combine to throw five innings and allow just one run on two hits. Faiola gained the victory, while Florence starter Jonathan Miller was saddled with the loss.
The Crushers up their record to 31-24 with the win and will host the East Division-leading Kalamazoo Kings beginning on Sunday evening with a 5:05 P.M. contest at All Pro Freight Stadium. Rookie Chris Rigo will make the start for Lake Erie against Kalamazoo's Ben Rue.
The Lake Erie Crushers are the newest expansion team in the Frontier League, an independent professional league with 12 teams throughout the Midwest. The team plays its home games at All Pro Freight Stadium, the new 5,000 capacity ballpark located at the intersection of I-90 and Route 611 in Avon. Season tickets and Mini-plans 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.
Frontier League Stories from July 25, 2009
- Bolts Daily Podcast now available on iTunes - Windy City ThunderBolts
- RiverHawks sign new infielder; Cone released - Rockford RiverHawks
- Grand slam carries Crushers to series sweep - Florence Y'alls
- Washington Dumps Coal into Traverse City's Christmas Stockings - Washington Wild Things
- Kings Take Series; Manager Sets Frontier League Record - Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti
- Bolts sweep Rascals - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Bums drop series - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Otters avoid sweep - Gateway Grizzlies
- Crushers slam Freedom - Lake Erie Crushers
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