Two-out hits pace Crushers in fifth straight victory
Published on August 12, 2014 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release
JOLIET, Ill. -- The Lake Erie Crushers used five two-out run scoring hits at Silver Cross Field to take the opening game of their series against the Joliet Slammers, in a 7-4 victory on Tuesday night.
The victory for the Crushers (43-32) was their fifth in a row, tying their longest winning streak of the season, while the loss for the Slammers (29-47) was their fifth in their last six games.
The Lake Erie offense continued its recent string of dominance, as they scored seven times on 13 hits, with nearly half of their hits (6) going for extra bases. They are averaging 7.3 runs per game and 11.8 hits per game over their last six contests.
Lake Erie went to work in the top of the first inning. Craig Hertler started the contest with a double down the right field line, and scored two batters later on a single from Andrew Davis. Lake Erie's first two-out run scoring hit came via the long ball, as Ryan Hutchison belted a solo homer in the top of the second, his seventh of the season to give the Crushers a 2-0 lead.
The Slammers scored all four of their runs in the bottom of the second. Adam Giacalone started the inning with a single to left, and made his way to third on former Crusher Seth Granger's double down the left field line. Another former Crusher, Max Casper, followed with a squeeze bunt to score Giacalone. JD Dorgan then singled to left to score the game tying run. After Chris Epps doubled, Adrian English stroked a RBI single to give Joliet the lead, and Grant DeBruin drove in the final run on a sacrifice fly.
Lake Erie was able to chip away at the lead in the top of the fourth inning, as Anderson Hidalgo scored when Vince Mejia bounced into a 6-4-3 double play. The Crushers then scored three times, on three consecutive two-out hits to take a lead they would never surrender.
Kevin Franchetti started the rally with a one out double, and he scored the game tying run on a two-out single from Trevor Stevens. Davis followed with a double to the gap in left center, scoring Stevens to give the Crushers the lead. Hidalgo then capped the big inning on a RBI single to center to score Davis.
The Crushers added one more insurance run on the top of the sixth, on another big two-out hit. Joey Burney started the inning with a double, and he scored on a two-out RBI single from Stevens.
Joliet put one last threat together in the bottom of the ninth. The first two batters of the inning reached, before Trevor Longfellow (6) retired the next three batters to seal the deal.
Lake Erie used seven pitchers on the night, and it was Brandon Smith (2-0) who came away with the victory after providing a scoreless inning of relief, while Longfellow snagged the save with a scoreless ninth. Andrew Busby (2-6) was tagged with the loss after allowing six runs on 10 hits over 4.2 innings of work.
Eight out of the starting nine in the Lake Erie lineup hit safely on the night, while the first five batters hit safely multiple times. Hertler, Stevens, Davis, Hidalgo and Juan Sanchez all hit safely twice. Hertler went 2-for-5 and has now reached safely in 26 straight games. Stevens went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, giving him 10 RBIs in his last six games.
The Crushers will continue their three-game series with the Joliet Slammers at Silver Cross Field on Wednesday night. Lefty Connor Whalen (1-2, 4.61) will start for the Crushers and left-hander Matt Crim (1-2, 6.00) will start for the Slammers. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 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.
Frontier League Stories from August 12, 2014
- Two-out hits pace Crushers in fifth straight victory - Lake Erie Crushers
- Grizzlies and CornBelters Split Doubleheader - Gateway Grizzlies
- Washington Wins in Windy City 7-5 - Washington Wild Things
- Aviators Walk Ten; Lose 12-7 - Rockford Aviators
- ThunderBolts Drop Opener to Washington 7-5 - Windy City ThunderBolts
- CornBelters Split Doubleheader with Grizzlies - Normal CornBelters
- Slammers Lose 7-4 on Tuesday - Joliet Slammers
- Slammers Drop Series Opener to Lake Erie 7-4 on Tuesday - Joliet Slammers
- Houck Sets Otters Single Season Franchise Record for Home Runs in Loss - Evansville Otters
- Boomers Swing Past Evansville - Schaumburg Boomers
- Rebellion Lose 11-1 in Inaugural Season Home Finale - Washington Wild Things
- Otters Begin Three Game Road Series at Schaumburg - Evansville Otters
- Beach Bums and Freedom Washed out on Tuesday - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Tuesday's Freedom and Beach Bums Game Rained Out - Florence Y'alls
- Beatty Signed by Chicago White Sox Organization - Washington Wild Things
- Big Inning Vaults Miners Past Slammers - Southern Illinois Miners
- Little Shuts Down Rascals, Otters Take Series - River City Rascals
- Slammers Lose to Southern Illinois 7-4 on Monday - Joliet Slammers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
