FL Lake Erie Crushers

Moldenhauer mashes in Crushers victory

Published on June 7, 2013 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Russ Moldenhauer belted a pair of two-run homers on Friday evening at Consol Energy Park, as the Crushers took a back-and-forth battle in the opening game of the series, with a 6-5 victory over the Washington Wild Things.

The Crushers (8-11) hit safely nine times, and five of those hits went for extra bases, while the loss for the Wild Things (11-7) was their third in just six home games this season.

The scoring started early, as Lake Erie put two runs on the board in the top of the first. Kevin Berard stroked a line drive single into center field on the first pitch of the contest, and scored a few moments later on Moldenhauer's first bomb of the night, an opposite field homer to give the Crushers an early lead.

The lead was short-lived, as the Wild Things scored three times on three hits in the bottom of the second. Former Crusher Rogelio Noris belted a one out base hit, and scored a few moments later on Stewart Ijames's double. Two batters later, CJ Beatty gave Washington the lead on a two-run bomb.

Washington added to their lead in the fourth inning, when Jim Vahalik drove in Ijames on a sacrifice fly, before the Crushers began their comeback two innings later.

Lake Erie scored two times on four hits in the sixth to tie the game. Moldenhauer started the rally with a base hit, and made his way to third on Andrew Davis's double. Ricardo Lizcano drove the Moldenhauer home on a groundout, and Emmanuel Quiles tied the game with a two-out RBI triple down the right field line.

Deadlocked at 4-4, the Crushers called on Moldenhauer again in the seventh inning with a runner on second and two down. Moldenhauer delivered with his second homer of the night, another opposite field shot to give the Crushers a 6-4 advantage. The homer was his third of the trip, and his fourth of the season.

Washington put one more on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning. Darian Sandford belted a two out single before stealing second base, and scored on A.J. Nunziato's RBI double, but that was as close as the Wild Things would get the rest of the way.

Matt Smith (2-0) scored the victory, allowing five runs on eight hits over 6.2 innings of work with seven strikeouts, while Will Scott (1-2) was tagged with the loss after surrendering the two-run shot to Moldenhauer in the seventh. Dale Dickerson (2) scored his second save in as many days by tossing a scoreless ninth inning.

Moldenhauer's huge night paced the Crushers, as he went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and drove in four. Davis went 2-for-4 with a pair of extra base hits and has now hit safely in nine consecutive games. Quiles's run scoring triple extended his hitting streak to seven games, and he's reached in his last nine contests.

The Crushers will continue their three game series against the Washington Wild Things at Consol Energy Park on Saturday evening. The Crushers will start left hander Matt Rein (1-1, 3.60) and the Wild Things will start right hander Gary Lee (2-0, 0.84). 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 2013 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 June 7, 2013


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