FL Lake Erie Crushers

Lake Erie Crushers Split Double Header with Washington

Published on July 9, 2014 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Lake Erie Crushers used a three-run sixth inning in game two of Wednesday's double header and a strong pitching performance at Consol Energy Park to earn a double header split with the Washington Wild Things.

The Crushers (25-22) used a pair of terrific pitching performances, and improved to 7-3 in double headers with the split, while the loss for the Wild Things (29-18) in game two was just their second at home against a Frontier League Eastern Division opponent this season.

Game One The Crushers were undone by one inning in the first contest, as the Wild Things capitalized on a pair of errors, and scored four times in just two hits in the third inning to take a lead that they would never surrender.

Washington's big inning began with a walk issued to Jim Vahalik. Jarod Jamerson followed with a ground ball to second baseman Vince Mejia, but Mejia's throw to second base ended up in left field, and the errant throw allowed Vahalik to score. Sam Montgomery reached on a sacrifice bunt which was followed by an error, before Daniel Poma tripled in two runs and Scott Kalamar capped with inning with a RBI double.

Lake Erie scratched one across in the fifth inning. Craig Hertler stroked a one-out triple down the right field line, and came home moments later on a sacrifice fly from Emmanuel Quiles. The Crushers threatened to do more in the inning as Andrew Davis followed with a double to right, but the Wild Things neutralized the threat.

Scott Dunn (3-2) took the victory after allowing just a run on five hits over 5.1 innings of action and Jonathan Kountis (17) tossed a scoreless seventh inning to grab the save. Zach Gordon (0-1) pitched well, but took the loss after allowing four runs, two earned on three hits over five innings.

Game Two Lake Erie lefty Toddy Kibby (5-1) was simply fantastic in game two as he tied a season high with 10 strikeouts over 5.1 innings of work, and allowed just an unearned run on two hits along the way to score the victory.

Washington's lone run in game two was scored in the fourth inning. CJ Beatty reached on Juan Sanchez's errant throw at short, and he scored later in the inning on a two out double from Maxx Garrett.

The Crushers did all of their damage in the top of the sixth inning, which began with three consecutive singles from Juan Sanchez Davis and Mejia. Anderson Hidalgo then walked with the bases loaded to the tie game, which was enough to force Shawn Blackwell (5-1) out of the contest.

Lake Erie's rally continued, as Quiles delivered a pinch hit RBI single through the right side to give the Crushers the lead, and they added to their advantage on Ryan Hutchison's sac fly RBI to plate Mejia.

Washington had a chance to dive into their deficit in the sixth inning, but Brad Duffy came through with a pair of huge strikeouts while facing the heart of the Wild Things' batting order. There were two on and one out, when he fanned the fourth and fifth batters in the order, Stewart Ijames and Garrett to end the threat.

Kibby earned the victory, while Blackwell took his first loss of the season after allowing three runs on four hits over five innings. Jason Wilson (4) scored the save after working a perfect seventh inning.

Sanchez paced the Crushers on the night, turning in a three-hit performance in game two, and went 4-for-7 in the double header, while Davis had pair of hits in game one, and went 3-for-7 in the twin bill.

The Crushers will finish their three-game series with the Washington Wild Things at Consol Energy Park on Thursday night. Lefty Matt Rein (2-3, 4.69) will throw for the Crushers and the Wild Things will counter with right-hander Alex Kaminsky (1-3, 4.24). 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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Frontier League Stories from July 9, 2014


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