FL Lake Erie Crushers

Thunderbolts zap Crushers

July 28, 2018 - Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


AVON, Ohio - The Lake Erie Crushers, presented by Mercy Health, saw an early 2-0 lead disappear on Saturday evening at Sprenger Healthcare Stadium as they surrendered a trio of runs in the fourth inning and fell to the Windy City Thunderbolts, 4-2.

The loss for the Crushers (36-29) was only their second in their last seven games overall, while the victory for the Thunderbolts (26-39) was their third in their last four games.

Lake Erie fired the first shot, using the long ball to take an early lead in the bottom of the second. Doug Trimble reached on a one out base hit to left field, and Dalton Wheat followed with a two-run homer to center, his fourth of the season. The homer was Wheat's first since May 26.

Windy City was able to cut the Lake Erie lead in half in the top of the third. Joe Becht reached on a one out walk, and scored from first a few moments later on Omar Obregon's RBI double down the line in right.

The Thunderbolts went to work again one inning later, plating a trio of runs to take their first lead of the game in the top of the fourth. Tyler Straub and Blair Beck stroked back-to-back singles before Riley Krane was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Terrance Roberston followed with a two-run single to right, giving the Thunderbolts a 3-2 advantage. Later in the inning, Obregon struck again, as he laid down a beautiful two out RBI bunt base hit to score Krane.

The Crushers had a few chances to score over the final five innings, but could not capitalize. They stranded a pair of base runners in the fifth inning, again in the sixth, and one more time in the eighth. They had the tying run at the plate when the game ended.

Eddie Avila (1-5) scored the victory for the Thunderbolts, allowing just a pair of runs on five hits while fanning three over six innings. Devin Raftery (8) tossed a scoreless ninth inning to snag the save. Micah Beyer (0-1) had not allowed an earned run in 16 innings entering the game, but allowed four runs on five hits over five innings and took the loss.

Three Crushers hit safely multiple times on the night. Trimble, Wheat and Zach Racusin all turned in two hit games for the Crushers.

The Crushers will finish their three game series with the Windy City Thunderbolts at Sprenger Healthcare Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Justin Sinibaldi (0-2, 2.08) will start for the Crushers and the Thunderbolts will counter with righty Zac Westcott (5-7, 3.45). The first pitch is scheduled for 2:05 PM.

The Lake Erie Crushers, the 2009 Frontier League Champions, and 2011 Frontier League Organization of the year, play ball at Sprenger Health Care 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. For more information on tickets, promotions and team news, visit the team website at www.LakeErieCrushers.com or call 440-934-3636.

Check out the Lake Erie Crushers Statistics



Frontier League Stories from July 28, 2018


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