FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers use two big innings to take both games of doubleheader

Published on July 4, 2014 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Lake Erie Crushers used a seven run fifth inning in game one and a nine run fifth inning in game two to take both games of the doubleheader against the Rockford Aviators 10-2 and 9-7 Thursday at Aviators Stadium.

The wins for the Crushers (22-20) gave them their second consecutive series win over the Aviators (19-21) this season. The two losses for the Aviators signaled the fifth time this season they have failed to win both games of a twin billing in five chances.

The Crushers bats came alive in the fifth inning of each contest Thursday. They scored 16 of their 19 runs and had 12 of their 22 hits of the doubleheader in that inning. Lake Erie has now scored 33 runs in its last four games. The 22 runs scored this series were the most they have scored in any series this season.

Game one saw the Crushers ride another solid start from Zach Gordon and a solid outing from the bullpen, along with the seven-run fifth inning, to take it 10-2.

Rockford got on the board first in game one, however. After retiring the first two batters, Jeff Kremer singled off Gordon and advanced to third on an error by catcher Emmanuel Quiles. He came around to score one batter later when Edgar Corcino doubled down the right field line and give Rockford the early advantage.

Lake Erie evened the score in the third inning on a Joey Burney home run, the first of his professional career. However, the Aviators answered right back with a home run of their own, a solo shot by Corcino, to retake the lead at 2-1.

The Crushers sent 13 batters to the plate in the seven-run fifth inning. Burney led off the inning with a walk and later came around to score on a fielder's choice ball off the bat of Quiles. Sanchez, who singled as the second batter in the inning, and Quiles would later come around to score on a passed ball (4-2).

The remaining four runs of the inning all came with two outs. Adam Ford tripled down the left field line to score two and the next batter Ryan Hutchison singled as well to score Ford. Sanchez singled for a second time in the inning two batters later to cap off the big inning.

The Crushers added two more runs in the seventh inning when the game was already out of reach. Brant Masters (1-0) earned the victory after pitching a perfect fifth inning in relief of Gordon. Ryan Zimmerman (2-2) took the loss after allowing four runs on four hits in 4.1 innings of work.

Game two also saw Rockford jump out to an early lead. Two walks hurt Todd Kibby in the first inning as they both came around to score on a double off the bat by Kenny Bryant. The Aviators added one more in the third when Bryant was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make it 3-0 Rockford.

The Crushers then took the lead and never looked back after yet another big fifth inning. They sent 14 batters to the plate, scoring nine runs on seven hits in the inning. Craig Hertler singled to start the inning and came around to score two batters later on an Andrew Davis single. Burney hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Davis for the second run of the inning, before yet another huge 2-out rally.

Back to back singles by Hutchison and Zack Bricknell scored Mejia and Hidalgo to give Lake Erie a 4-3 advantage. The next batter Kevin Franchetti walked to load the bases and Hertler walked as well, to bring in Hutchison. Sanchez then hit a bases clearing double to put three more runs on the board and Davis capped the huge inning by hitting a single to left field to drive him in.

Rockford answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning on RBI's by Bryant and Brian Bistagne and added two more in the seventh inning. The Aviators loaded the bases and brought the winning run to the plate with two outs, but Brad Duffy struck out Tanner Witt to end the game.

Ryan Connolly (2-0) picked up the win for the Crushers, pitching 1.2 innings of no-hit baseball in relief of Kibby who had his shortest outing of the season. Josh Slaats (2-1) took the loss allowing four runs on six hits in 4.1 innings of work.

Juan Sanchez led the charge offensively going 5-8 with four runs batted in on the day. Hertler, Davis, Hutchison, and Bricknell also had multiple hits over the course of the double header.

The Crushers will begin a three-game series with the Frontier Greys at All Pro Freight Stadium on Friday night. Lefty Matt Rein (0-3, 6.35) will throw for the Crushers. 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 2014 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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