Crushers use four run first inning to take series opener
Published on June 5, 2012 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The Lake Erie Crushers scored four times on three hits and capitalized on a trio of Evansville errors in the first inning of Monday night's contest at Bosse Field, as they took the series opener from the Otters, 4-2.
The Crushers (6-10), continued to come up with timely hits on the road, getting a pair of two out knocks that produced runs in their big first inning to give them a lead they would not surrender. For the Otters (6-10), the loss was their third in their last four games.
Adrian Ortiz began the game with a single to center field. On the play, Evansville center fielder Matt Sheely bobbled the ball, allowing Ortiz to get to second. Gered Mochizuki was issued a free pass, before Davis struck out swinging.
With runners at first and second and one down, Russ Moldenhauer hit a ground ball to Nick Schwaner at first, who airmailed the ball into left field in an attempt to start a double play. The throwing error allowed one run to score, and left fielder Alex Foltz had trouble picking the ball off the turf, which allowed the second run to score.
The Crushers had Moldenhauer at second with two outs, when Kellen Kulbacki went the opposite way with a double down the left field line to score Moldenhauer. Kulbacki came home a few moments later on Robby Kudale's base hit through the left side.
The Otters got their first run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Frank Martinez stroked his second of three singles on the night, and stole second, before scoring on Brett Chamberlain's two out base hit.
Evansville threatened again in the seventh. Jon Karcich started the inning with a single, and moved to second on Alex Foltz's bunt base hit, which knocked Eric Gonzalez-Diaz (1-3) out of the game. Randy Sturgill came in, and retired the first two batters he faced, before walking Martinez to load the bases, but got out of the inning, after getting DeAngelo Mack to ground out.
Schwaner redeemed himself seven innings after his throwing error, as he belted a solo homer to start the bottom of the eighth inning. Martinez belted a two out single in the ninth inning, and brought the tying run to the plate in Mack, who struck out on three pitches from Jonathan Kountis (4).
Gonzalez-Diaz turned in his finest performance of the season, going six strong innings, allowing just a run on eight hits with three strikeouts to secure the victory. Kountis went two innings, allowing just a base hit to score his fourth save. Dan Blewett (1-1) was tagged with the loss, after allowing four unearned runs on four hits over six strong innings.
Taylor went 1-for-4 on the night with a base hit. Taylor has now reached in 12 consecutive games, and has hit safely in his last four. Kuzdale's RBI single in the first inning extended his hitting streak to four games, and he's hitting .545 (6-for-11) over his last four games.
The Crushers will continue their three game series against the Evansville Otters, at Bosse Field on Wednesday night. Left hander Josh Rickards (0-0, 8.22) will start for the Crushers and the Otters will counter with left hander Matt Crim (0-1, 5.09). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:35 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 12 teams operating throughout the Midwest. Season tickets for the 2012 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.
Frontier League Stories from June 5, 2012
- Walks Cripple RiverHawks in Loss at Traverse City - Rockford RiverHawks
- Otters Edged by Lake Erie 4-2 - Evansville Otters
- Boomers Improve to 6-1 at Home with 5-3 Win over Grizzlies - Schaumburg Boomers
- Beach Bums Win Third Straight - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Crushers use four run first inning to take series opener - Lake Erie Crushers
- Grizzlies Fall to Schaumburg in Road Trip Opener - Gateway Grizzlies
- Walks set up decisive homer as RiverHawks fall - Rockford RiverHawks
- Miners Defeat Wild Things - Southern Illinois Miners
- Rippers Win Third Straight - London Rippers
- Rascals Lose 2nd Straight for 1st Time - River City Rascals
- Wild Things Fall 7-1 - Washington Wild Things
- London Tops CornBelters 9-0 - Normal CornBelters
- Federico Released - London Rippers
- Wild Things Start Six Game Homestand Tonight - Washington Wild Things
- RiverHawks Make Roster Moves, Add Catcher - Rockford RiverHawks
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