FL Lake Erie Crushers

Slow Start Stops Sweep

Published on August 1, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


AVON, Ohio - The Washington Wild Things scored early and often at All Pro Freight Stadium on Tuesday night, as they plated five runs over the first two innings, and avoided a Lake Erie sweep with a 5-2 victory.

For the Crushers, (30-35) the loss was their fourth during their six game home stand, while the win for the Wild Things (29-35) was their fourth against the Crushers this season.

The Wild Things scored all five of their runs with two outs. Paul Fagan (4-9) retired the first two batters in the top of the first inning, before Scott Lawson belted a single to keep the first inning alive, and Luis Rivera followed with a two-run homer, his seventh of the season.

Fagan struck out the first two batters he faced in the top of the second inning, before Washington delivered four consecutive hits, which produced three runs to establish a big lead. Blake Ochoa started the rally with a single, and scored on Kevyn Feiner's double. Feiner came home moments later on Chris Sidick's two-bagger, and Doug Thennis finished the rally by driving in Sidick in on a base hit.

Lake Erie plated both of their runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Andrew Davis belted a leadoff double, and scored moments later on Kellen Kulback's two-bagger. Kulbacki scored moments later when Evan Sharpley bounced into a 4-6-3 double play.

The Crushers' offense was held to just a single hit after the fourth inning, and had just three base runners the rest of the way. Washington starting pitcher Justin Hall (7-4) sat down the last 11 batters he faced, silencing the Lake Erie offense.

Lake Erie had the tying run at the plate when the game ended. Sharpley walked with two outs and moved to second after Jodam Rivera was hit by a pitch. Kyle Shaffer then grounded out to end the contest.

Hall allowed just a pair of runs on seven hits over eight strong innings, and struck out 10 batters in a winning effort, while Taylor Wulf (7) tossed a scoreless ninth inning to score the save. Fagan took the loss after allowing five runs on six hits over seven innings with seven strikeouts. He retired 13 out of the final 14 batters he faced.

Davis went 2-for-4, and extended his on base streak to 36 games, which is the longest on base streak in Frontier League play this season. Rivera also delivered a pair of hits, going 2-for-3 with a double and a single. Jereme Milons went 0-for-4, bringing his 16 game on base streak to an end.

The Crushers will begin a three game series against the Florence Freedom on Tuesday night. Left Hander Randy Sturgill (4-1, 3.06) will start for the Crushers, and the Freedom will counter with right hander Jeff Frost (0-4, 7.30).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 August 1, 2011


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