FL Lake Erie Crushers

Lake Erie falls to Kalamazoo

June 9, 2009 - Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


Kalamazoo, MI - The Lake Erie Crushers got off to a good start but couldn't finish things off in Kalamazoo as the Kings rallied to win by the final of 6-5 at Homer Stryker Field.

The Crushers opened up strong in the first on a two-run homer by Drew Saylor to give Lake Erie the early advantage. Saylor's round tripper to left gives him a team-leading four home runs on the season. After Kalamazoo scored on an error in the second, Lake Erie went back to work in the fifth inning as Saylor brought home Nick Maragas on an RBI single to give the Crushers a 3-1 edge. Saylor finished the day 4-4 with three runs batted in.

But the Kings would break through in the sixth inning as Jett Ruiz hit a sacrifice fly and then Amos Ramon hit a two-out, two-run double off of Lake Erie starter Josh Faiola to give the Kings a 4-3 lead. Kalamazoo would tack on two more runs in the seventh on a home run by designated hitter Brendan Murphy. Faiola worked five and two thirds innings allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits. He struck out two and did not walk a batter as his record drops to 0-3.

The Crushers would threaten in the eighth inning as Saylor, Luke Hetherington, and Gordon Gronkowski singled to start the frame. Andrew Davis then drew a bases loaded walk to pull Lake Erie to within 6-4. But Kalamazoo closer Tommy Mejia would slam the door on the Crusher rally as he got Tim Binkoski to hit into a double play and struck out Nick Maragas to end the threat.

"I'm curious to see how our guys will move forward in this series, playing a tough opponent like Kalamazoo in this ballpark," said Manager John Massarelli. The Crushers and the Kings will continue their three game series tomorrow evening at Homer Stryker Field starting at 7:05.

The Lake Erie Crushers are the newest expansion team in the Frontier League, an independent professional league with 12 teams throughout the Midwest. The team plays its home games at All Pro Freight Stadium, the new 5,000 capacity ballpark located at the intersection of I-90 and Route 611 in Avon. Season tickets and Mini-plans 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 June 9, 2009


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