FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers Use Three Run Fifth To Beat Washington

Published on July 25, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


WASHINGTON, Pa. - The Lake Erie Crushers recorded six consecutive hits in the fifth inning of Monday night's game at Consol Energy Park, and snapped a 1-1 tie by scoring three times to beat the Wild Things, 4-1.

For the Crushers, (28-30) the victory marks their third in their last four games, and gives them six out of their last eight, while the loss for Washington (25-32) drops their record to 2-3 against the Crushers this season.

Both teams scored in the first inning. Jereme Milons stroked a one out single in the top of the frame, and stole second base before he scored on Andrew Davis's first of two doubles. The lead did not last long, as the Wild Things benefited from a pair of Lake Erie errors to tie the game in the bottom of the first.

Chris Sidick walked to start the inning, and on a pickoff attempt at first, the ball hit off of Jason Taylor's glove, moving Sidick to second. Doug Thennis singled, moving Sidick to third, and he scored on Randy Sturgill's errant throw, which was another pickoff attempt at first base.

Sturgill (4-0) really settled in after the first inning. He did surrender back-to-back one out hits in the bottom of the second inning, but after allowing a single to Ryan Ditthardt in the second, he retired the final 14 batters he faced in his finest outing of the season.

The three run fifth inning was the difference in the ballgame. Kyle Shaffer started the rally with a solo homerun, his fourth of the season. Later in the fifth, Milons singled, and scored on Davis's triple to right center field. Kellen Kulbacki brought Davis home moments later on a base hit to cap the big inning.

The Crushers pitching staff held Washington to just one hit over the final seven innings of the contest. Sturgill tossed six innings, and allowed just an unearned run on three hits with three strikeouts in a winning effort. Kelyn Schellenberg tossed two scoreless innings of relief, and Ruben Flores (12) worked a perfect ninth inning to secure the save.

Washington's Gary Lee (1-2) suffered the loss, after allowing all four runs on 13 hits over seven innings of work. Sheffield Lake, Ohio, native, Steven Grife, tossed two scoreless innings of relief for the Wild Things.

The first five batters in the Lake Erie batting order hit safely multiple times. Davis and Taylor led the way, with both batters turning in 3-for-4 performances. Davis doubled twice, tripled, drove in two runs, and extended his on base streak to 29 games. He is hitting .476 (10-for-21) in five games against the Wild Things this season. Norris, Milons, and Kulbacki all delivered two hits apiece. Milons has reached in all 11 games with the Crushers, while Kulbacki is hitting .476 (10-for-21) during the current road trip.

The Crushers will finish their three game series against the Washington Wild Things at Consol Energy Park on Tuesday morning. Right Hander Thomas Campbell (0-0, 2.84) will start for the Crushers, and the Wild Things will counter with right hander Casey Barnes (5-3, 1.79). The first pitch is scheduled for 11:05 AM.

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 25, 2011


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