FL Lake Erie Crushers

Slammers silence Crushers, snap six-game win streak

Published on August 14, 2014 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


JOLIET, Ill. -- The Lake Erie Crushers saw their six-game winning streak come to an end on Thursday night, as they fell in their series finale against the Joliet Slammers, 2-1.

The Crushers (44-33) lost for the first time since dropping their opening game in a series against Rockford back on Aug. 6, while the victory for the Slammers (30-48) was their just their second in four games against the Crushers this season.

The Lake Erie offense was averaging just over eight runs on nearly 12 hits per contest over their previous five games, but on Thursday night, they were held in check, as they scored just once on five hits.

Joliet fired the first shot in the bottom of the first inning. Chris Epps walked to start the inning, and made his way over to third on Adrian English's single to right field. Later in the inning, Matt Weaver stroked a two-out single through the right side of the infield to plate Epps, giving Joliet a 1-0 lead.

Lake Erie tied the game two innings later, but had the chance to do much more. Adam Ford started the inning with a bunt base hit, and walks were issued to both Ryan Hutchison and Kevin Franchetti to load the bases. Craig Hertler drove in the game tying run on a sacrifice fly, but that turned out to be Lake Erie's only run of the game.

Joliet regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Former Crusher Max Casper reached on a bunt single to start the inning, and advanced to third on a single from English. Russ Moldenhauer then drove in the eventual game winner on a single through the right side to plate Casper.

Lake Erie had two other chances to score but could not cash in. Emmanuel Quiles and Andrew Davis started the top of the sixth inning on back-to-back singles, but Matt Costello (1-0) worked his way out of the jam, and ended the inning by inducing a 5-4-3 double play.

Joey Burney started the top of the eighth inning with a pinch hit single, and stole second base, but former Crusher Jordan Wellander retired the next three batters to end the threat.

Jason Wilson (7-5) pitched extremely well in a losing effort. He allowed just two runs on six hits over seven innings of action and struck out four in the process. Costello scored the victory after allowing just a run on four hits over six innings, while David Kubiak (3) tossed a perfect ninth to grab the save.

Hertler drove in Lake Erie's only run, and reached on a walk to start the game, extending his on base streak to 28 games in the process. Ford's bunt base hit in the third inning extended his on base streak to 13 games.

The Crushers will begin a three-game series with the Traverse City Beach Bums at Wuerfel Park on Friday night. Lefty Andy Roberts (0-0, 4.15) will start for the Crushers and right-hander Scott Vachon (2-1, 4.94) will start for the Beach Bums. The 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 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 August 14, 2014


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