FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers Use Seven Run First Inning To Beat Gateway

Published on July 5, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


SAUGET, Ill. - The Lake Erie Crushers sent 10 batters to the plate, and scored seven runs on six hits in the opening frame of Tuesday night's contest at GCS Ballpark, as they took the opening game of the series against the Gateway Grizzlies, 9-3.

For the Crushers, (19-24) the victory gives them four in a row over the Grizzlies this season, and the loss for Gateway (17-26) marked their eighth in their last 11 games.

The first five batters hit safely in the incredible seven run first inning. Jodam Rivera got the party started with a double to right center field. Nick Mahin followed with a bunt base hit, and Rivera came home moments later on Andrew Davis's single.

Kellen Kulbacki followed Davis's base knock with one of his own to load the bases, and Joel Collins singled in both Davis and Mahin to give the Crushers a 3-0 lead. After Jason Taylor walked to load the bases again, Kyle Shaffer followed with his third homer of the season, Lake Erie's first grand slam of the year to cap the big inning.

The Crushers maintained that 7-0 edge until the Grizzlies scored their first two runs of the contest in the bottom of the third inning on their first of two homers on the night. Joe Agreste yanked one over the wall in right field, a two run shot to put the Grizzlies on the board, and they scored their final run of the game in the sixth inning, on a solo shot from Charlie Lisk.

Lake Erie added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the fourth inning. Mahin stroked his second single of the game, scoring Zac Messer in the process, and Davis smoked a double off the wall in right field which plated Rivera for the second time in the ballgame.

The Crushers used four different pitchers on the night, with Randy Sturgill (2-0) getting the victory, retiring 12 out of the 13 batters he faced. Strugill allowed the solo shot to Lisk in the sixth inning, and that was it over four innings of work.

Four out of the first five batters in the Lake Erie order hit safely twice. Rivera, Mahin, Davis and Collins all had a pair of hits on the night. Patrick Norris didn't record any hits, but reached three times on a trio of walks. Every player in the starting lineup reached at least once. Davis's 2-for-5 performance extended his on base streak to 14 games, while Kulbacki went 1-for-4, extending his hitting streak to 10 games, and his on base streak to 16.

The Crushers will continue their three game series against the Gateway Grizzlies at GCS Ballpark on Wednesday night. Right hander Josh Roberts (3-3, 4.08) will start for the Crushers and the Grizzlies will counter with right hander Corey Davisson (0-2, 2.53).The first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 PM.

The Lake Erie Crushers, the 2009 Frontier League Champions, play ball at All Pro Freight Stadium, a 5,000 capacity stadium located in Avon, OH. 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 July 5, 2011


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