FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers Squeak Past the Otters

Published on June 28, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


AVON, Ohio -The Lake Erie Crushers beat the Evansville Otters on Sunday afternoon, 4-3, as the Crushers scored early and often to get past the Otters and take the final game of the series, and finish the six game home stand with a 4-2 record.

With the win, the Crushers (15-21), advance to 8-14 at home. The loss for the Otters (24-15) ends their three game road winning streak.

In the second inning, the Otters took the early lead as Chris Sweeney hit a bomb to the deepest part of the park in center field. The strong winds had no effect on the home run that sailed over Trevor Stevens' head and the fence.

The Crushers had a chance to respond in the second inning as Jose Barraza led off the inning with a double. He moved to third on a wild pitch and Anderson Hidalgo walked to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Otters starter Preston Olson (5-2) was able to strike out Joey Burney, get Austin Prott to fly out to center and struck out Juan Sanchez to end the threat.

In the fourth inning, the Crushers were able to break through. With one out, Barraza hit his second double of the game, and moved over to second on a single by Hidalgo. Prott then walked to load the bases before Juan Sanchez hit a two out, two run single to left to give the Crushers a one run lead.

Lake Erie threatened to score in the sixth when Barraza led off with a single, moved over to second on a wild pitch and went to third when Joey Burney hit a single up the middle with one out. The Crushers could not get a run across the plate however, and stranded two more runners.

In the seventh inning, the Crushers received a run of insurance as Cody Stevens led off with a ground rule double that hopped over the short fence down the right field line. Chandler Brock hit a fielder's choice back to the pitcher Olson who could not throw either runner out. Stevens would move to third on a bad throw by catcher JD Dorgan. Trevor Stevens then walked to load the bases and Ty Nelson hit a fielder's choice to third that retired Trevor Stevens but allowed Cody Stevens to score from third.

In the eighth inning, the Crushers added another big run. Hidalgo led off with a walk and moved to third on a double to right off the bat of Burney. Hidalgo would score on an RBI groundout hit by pinch hitter Emmanuel Quiles.

With a three run lead, the Crushers sent out Mike Devine (2) for the ninth inning. With one out, Sweeney doubled to left center field. Devine was able to get Nik Balog to ground out to first base. With two outs, and two strikes on Kurt Wertz Jr, the Otters right fielder hit a two run home run off the scoreboard in right field to cut the lead to one. Devine closed the game out as Dorgan struck out.

Crushers starter Zach Morton (2-0) picked up his second win of the home stand going 5.1 innings, striking out five, and allowing only one earned run. Trevor Longfellow relieved him and went 2.2 scoreless innings, striking out five. Devine slammed the door and picked up the save. For the Otters, Olson went 6.1 innings, striking out seven, allowing seven hits and giving up three runs. Will White got the final two outs in the seventh inning and allowed a run. Tommy Danczyk also pitched a scoreless inning in the eighth.

The Crushers start a three game series on the road in Washington, Pennsylvania as they take on the Washington Wild Things beginning on Tuesday night. Lake Erie will start right hander Hunter Adkins (1-3, 1.97). Washington's starter will be announced before the game. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 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 2015 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.

Check out the Lake Erie Crushers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Frontier League Stories from June 28, 2015


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.

OurSports Central