FL Lake Erie Crushers

Late Rally Falls Short

Published on May 29, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


Avon, Ohio - The Lake Erie Crushers came from behind to erase a 4-0 deficit by plating four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on Sunday evening at All Pro Freight Stadium, but squandered an opportunity to take the lead, before surrendering a run in the ninth in a 5-4 loss to the Joliet Slammers.

The loss for Lake Erie (4-5) marked the first time this season that they've lost the series finale, while the Slammers (5-4) took the rubber match in a game that endured two separate delays.

Josh Roberts had retired 10 Slammer batters in a row, until Devin Shepherd hit his first of two solo homeruns in the top of the fifth inning to snap a scoreless tie. After striking out the next two batters, Roberts surrendered back-to-back singles to Ben Ferrell and Ben Hewitt, before Ben Leeper belted a two-run triple to left center field, giving the Slammers a 3-0 lead.

Shepherd struck again one inning later, with his second bomb of the afternoon, with two outs in the top of the sixth inning to give the Slammers a 4-0 advantage. Joliet starting pitcher Andrew Moss who had allowed just two base runners all night, waited through an 11-minute lightning delay, and went 24 minutes between pitches, before allowing three runs in the eighth inning.

The Crushers' big eighth inning started with Jason Taylor's lead off walk. Joel Collins then reached on third baseman Kyle Maunus's throwing error, which allowed Taylor to score Lake Erie's first run of the evening. Moss then induced a groundball out, before surrendering a two-run shot to Kyle Shaffer. Shaffer's two run shot was followed by Kyle Boe's solo homer to left field, tying the game at 4-4, right before a major storm rolled through, sending the game into another delay.

The second delay lasted one hour and 13 minutes, and resumed with a 2-0 count on Patrick Norris. Norris belted a double down the right field line off of Aaron Dott. Dott (1-0) would also issue a two out walk to Andrew Davis, before striking out Kellen Kulbacki to end the inning.

Maunus began the top of the ninth inning by hitting the eventual game winning solo homerun that sailed over the wall in left field off of Greg Hendrix (0-1). Ryan Quigley (3) then came on in the bottom of the ninth inning, and worked a perfect frame to secure his third save of the season.

The Crushers were held to just four hits on the evening, and only Davis and Taylor reached safely more than once.

The Crushers are off on Monday, but will begin a three game series against Normal (Ill.) at All Pro Freight Stadium on Tuesday night. Left hander Andrew Weeks (2-0, 2.46) will get the start for the Crushers, and the Cornbelters will counter with right hander Jon Berger (1-0, 2.57).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 May 29, 2011


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