Traverse City D. Lake Erie Crushers
June 28, 2017 - Frontier League (FL) News Release
CRESTWOOD, IL - The Lake Erie Crushers, presented by Mercy, fell by a score of 6-1 to the Windy City ThunderBolts on Tuesday night. The Crushers (16-24) dropped their third straight meeting with Windy City, while the ThunderBolts (13-20) avoided falling below .500 for the first time since May.
After both teams traded chances in the first couple of innings, the ThunderBolts broke open the scoring with a solo home run from Keenyn Walker in the third.
The Crushers answered back in the top of the fourth. Brandon Murray led off with a double, and Sean Hurley's single put runners on second and third with no outs. Austin O'Brien then drew a one-out walk, and Cody Lenahan bounced a ground ball to second to plate the Crushers' only run of the night.
Windy City came on strong to take the lead in the fifth. After Ransom LaLonde was hit with a pitch, Blair Beck singled and Coco Johnson brought in two runs with a one-out double to give the ThunderBolts a 3-1 advantage.
The T-Bolts blew the game open in the bottom of the seventh. Beck doubled with one out, and Johnson mashed a two-run shot to left. Andrew Dundon followed with a walk, advancing two bases on a wild pitch from Mason Klotz in the next at bat. Larry Balkwill took advantage of the runner in scoring position, doubling in Dundon to give Windy City a 6-1 lead.
Over the final two innings, the ThunderBolts' bullpen held Lake Erie in check, striking out five of the final seven batters to secure the win.
Payton Lobdell shouldered the loss for the Crushers. Lobdell (0-2) surrendered five earned runs on eight hits with five strikeouts to one walk.
The Crushers continue the series tomorrow night with game two set to start at 8:05 EDT. Steve Hagen (3-3, 4.70) will make the start against Windy City's Zac Westcott (4-3, 5.75).
The Lake Erie Crushers, the 2009 Frontier League Champions, and 2011 Frontier League Organization of the year, play ball at Sprenger Healthcare 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 .
Frontier League Stories from June 28, 2017
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- Miners Halt Late Grizzlies Push for Win - Southern Illinois Miners
- Slammers Continue Winning Streak over First Place Boomers - Joliet Slammers
- Road Win Streak Ends as Boomers Fall at Joliet - Schaumburg Boomers
- Grizzlies Comeback Attempt Comes up Short - Gateway Grizzlies
- Traverse City D. Lake Erie Crushers - FL
- ThunderBolts Snap Skid, Beat Lake Erie - Windy City ThunderBolts
- CornBelters Split Twinbill with Otters - Normal CornBelters
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