FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers Walk Off For Eighth Straight Victory

Published on August 10, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


AVON, Ohio - For the second night in a row, the Lake Erie Crushers won in their final at bat, defeating the Florence Freedom, 3-2, on Wednesday night at All Pro Freight Stadium on Kellen Kulbacki's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth.

For the Crushers, (38-35) the eight game winning streak is their longest of the season, and the win marked their fourth in their final at bat, while the loss for Florence (30-42) dropped their record to 0-5 against the Crushers this season.

The Crushers scored first for the second night in a row, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Jereme Milons began the inning with a walk, and stole second before Patrick Norris bunted him over to third. Moments later, Andrew Davis singled into right center field to score Milons and snap a scoreless tie.

Florence plated their only two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Junior Arrojo was issued a one out free pass, and he moved to third on Chris Curley's double. Willie Holmes grounded out a few pitches later to score the tying run, and Stephen Shults gave the Freedom a 2-1 lead, on a two out RBI single.

Lake Erie tied the game at 2-2, in the bottom of the seventh. Kyle Shaffer stroked a one out single off of Chad Robinson, and stole second base. Milons lined a single into center field, which brought Shaffer home to tie the game.

Shaffer scored the winning run as well. He started the bottom of the ninth inning by doubling off the wall in center field. Corey Martin (2-3) then retired the next two batters, before Patrick Norris reached on an infield single, moving Shaffer to third. With runners at the corners and two out, Florence intentionally walked Davis to load the bases. Kulbacki stroked a single to left on the first pitch from Martin moments later to win the game.

Kelyn Schellenberg (2-1) tossed a pair of perfect innings, retiring all six batters he faced and earned the victory. Paul Fagan didn't factor into the decision, but threw seven strong innings, allowing just a pair of runs on four hits with five strikeouts. Martin took the loss for Florence after allowing the winning run on three hits over two-thirds of the ninth inning.

Kulbacki paced the Crushers offensively with three hits, going 3-for-4 and reached four times. Davis and Shaffer each hit safely twice. Davis went 2-for-4, and is now hitting .579 (11-for-19) on the home stand, with three runs and six RBIs. Kulbacki's RBI in the ninth was his tenth in the month of August.

The Crushers are still only a half behind the Traverse City Beach Bums for the final playoff spot in the Frontier League's Eastern Division.

The Crushers will finish their three game series against the Florence Freedom at All Pro Freight Stadium on Thursday night. Right hander Eric Gonzalez-Diaz (0-0, 0.00) will start for the Crushers and the Freedom will counter with right hander Alec Lewis (2-4, 3.31). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 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 August 10, 2011


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