FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers suffer loss

May 23, 2009 - Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


Washington, PA. - The Lake Erie Crushers surrendered three runs in the bottom of the ninth to allow the Washington Wild Things to escape Consol Energy Park with a 5-4 victory.

The Crushers seemed well on their way to their second straight win to start their inaugural season as they took a 4-2 lead into the ninth behind strong pitching from starter Josh Faiola and reliever Darwin DeLeon. But Washington took advantage of three straight errors by Lake Erie and would tie the game on a bases loaded walk by right fielder Joe Spears and then centerfielder Chris Sydick hit a sacrifice fly to right to win the game for Washington.

"When you make three errors in the ninth inning, chances are you're just not going to win," said Lake Erie Manager John Massarelli afterwards.

Faiola worked five strong innings for Lake Erie allowing just one earned run on two hits with three strikeouts. "Josh had some problems getting some first pitch strikes in there but his stuff showed through," said Massarelli, "He's going to be a very good pitcher in this league."

Darwin DeLeon threw three scoreless innings to start the ninth but was pulled after the first two Wild Things reached base. Jacinto Gonell would ultimately take the loss for Lake Erie.

Washington lefty Kedrick Martin pitched two scoreless innings in relief to earn the victory.

Offensively, center fielder Luke Hetherington hit his second home run in as many nights to power the Crushers. Left fielder Tim Binkoski added two hits.

The series concludes tomorrow night at 6:35 at Consol Energy Park. Kevin Skogley will get the start for Lake Erie against Washington's Eric Evans.

The Lake Erie Crushers are the newest expansion team in the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league with 12 teams throughout the Midwest. The team will open its Inaugural Season on June 2, 2009 in the new 5,000 seat 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 and team news, visit the team website at www.LakeErieCrushers.com or call 440-934-3636.

Check out the Lake Erie Crushers Statistics



Frontier League Stories from May 23, 2009


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