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FL Lake Erie Crushers

Ryan Hutchison's walk off homer caps Crushers comeback

May 17, 2014 - Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


AVON, Ohio. -- Ryan Hutchison hit a walk off homerun in just his second professional at bat on Saturday evening, as the Crushers came from behind to defeat the Schaumburg Boomers, 2-1, at All Pro Freight Stadium.

The victory for the Crushers (2-0) secures a series victory in the opening series of the season, and a chance for a sweep on Sunday, while for the Boomers (0-2) the loss marks their first 0-2 start in franchise history.

Runs were tough to come by on both sides, as both starting pitchers performed very well. Connor Whalen started the game for the Crushers, and allowed just a run on four hits over five strong innings while fanning six. Schaumburg's Charle Rosario was fantastic as well, tossing six scoreless innings, allowed just four hits and also struck out six.

Lake Erie received another strong performance from their bullpen, as four pitchers tossed scoreless innings in relief, giving the Lake Erie bullpen eight scoreless innings from the bullpen this season.

Schaumburg scored their lone run of the contest in the top of the third inning. The inning began with a walk issued to Tyler Sciacca, and he made his way to third in a single from Alexi Colon. Jordan Dean then brought Sciacca home moments later on a groundout to give the Boomers a 1-0 advantage.

Lake Erie was held without a run for the first seven innings of the contest, until they tied the game in the eighth. Juan Sanchez started the inning with a free pass, and Trevor Stevens moved him over to second base on a sacrifice bunt. Craig Hertler then delivered his third hit of the game, a single to center which scored Sanchez to tie the game at 1-1.

In the bottom of the ninth, Clark Labitan (0-1) retired the first two batters on groundouts to third, before Hutchison stepped in. Hutchison teed off on Labitan's 0-1 offering, and sent it over the wall in center field to win the game. The walk off homer was just the second in the last four years for the Crushers.

Jason Wilson (1-0) scored the victory for Lake Erie, as he tossed a scoreless ninth inning, and allowed just one hit in the top of the ninth. Brad Duffy, Matt Litzinger, and Zac Treece also tossed scoreless innings in relief. Labitan took the loss after surrendering the homer in the bottom of the ninth.

Hertler led the way for the Crushers offensively, recording half of their hits, as he went 3-for-4 with a pair of singles and a double, giving him five hits over the first two games of the series. Hutchison's homerun came on his second at bat of the game. He entered as a pinch hitter for Zach Bricknell in the seventh inning.

The Crushers and Boomers will finish their three game series on Sunday, May 18, at All Pro Freight Stadium. Left-hander Todd Kibby (0-0, 0.00) will start for the Crushers, and the Boomers will counter with left-hander Danny Jiminez (0-0, 0.00). The first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 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 May 17, 2014


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