FL Lake Erie Crushers

Rickards and Jannis combine to toss three hit shutout in Crushers win

June 6, 2012 - Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Josh Rickards and Mickey Jannis combined to toss a three hit shutout at Bosse Field on Wednesday night, as the Crushers took the second game of the series, with a 1-0 win over the Otters.

The shutout victory for the Crushers (7-10) was their second of the season, and gives them a shot at their first sweep of the season, while the loss for the Otters (6-11), was their fourth in their last five games.

In his first start of the season, Rickards (1-0) was simply sensational. The left hander tossed six scoreless innings, and allowed just one base runner to get into scoring position.

The Otters never really put together a threat against Rickards, who was in complete control throughout the contest. Rickards was relieved by Jannis (1) who tossed a pair of scoreless innings, before working out of trouble in the ninth to score the save.

The Crushers posed their first real threat in the top of the fourth inning. Matt Crim (0-2) issued back-to-back walks to Robby Kuzdale and Andrew Davis to start the inning. Crim then struck out Moldenhauer, before Kuzdale and Davis executed a double steal. Crim worked his way out of the inning by striking out Rogelio Noris, and getting Kyle Weldon to ground out.

Kuzdale began the sixth inning with a double. He made his way to third base after Davis grounded out. The Otters brought the infield in, and Moldenhauer hit a ground ball to Frank Martinez at second base, who threw Kuzdale out at the plate to keep the game tied. Noris, then delivered a clutch, two out double to the gap in left center to score Moldenhauer from first base to plate the only run of the night.

Matt Sheely started the bottom of the ninth inning with a double down the line in left. Wally Correa was playing in, and Sheely hit a line shot that grazed the edge of Correa's glove, slowing it down as it trickled down the line. Sheely made his way to third on Greg Fontenot's sacrifice bunt.

With the infield drawn in for the Crushers, Martinez hit a grounder to Weldon at first base. Weldon looked Sheely back at third, then stepped on first base to record the out. Jannis then struck out Evansville's cleanup hitter, DeAngelo Mack, on three pitches to seal the deal.

Rickards allowed just two base hits on the night, issued two free passes and fanned three batters over six scoreless innings to score the win, while Jannis allowed just the double to Sheely over three scoreless innings of relief to get his first save of the season. Crim was the hard luck loser, allowing just a run on four hits over seven innings.

Kuzdale went 1-for-2 on the night, and reached three times, extending his hitting streak to five. He has reached 12 times over his last five games. The Tampa, Fla., native, has gone 10-for-25 (.400) since beginning the year in an 0-for-16 slump.

The Crushers will finish their three game series against the Evansville Otters, at Bosse Field on Thursday night. Right hander Trevor Longfellow (1-0, 6.14) will start for the Crushers and the Otters will counter with left hander Garrett Bullock (0-2, 4.08). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:35 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 12 teams operating throughout the Midwest. Season tickets for the 2012 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 6, 2012


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