FL Lake Erie Crushers

Windy City Hits Walk-Off To Beat Crushers

June 23, 2018 - Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


CRESTWOOD, ILLINOIS. - The Lake Erie Crushers, presented by Mercy, fell to Windy City on Saturday night by the score of 5-4. A walk-off home run by Blair Beck in the ninth inning even the series and set up a rubber match for tomorrow.

Lake Erie (22-16) fell behind in the first inning. Omar Obregon led off with a single and later scored on a wild pitch against starter Sean Renzi. The ThunderBolts added a run in the second inning when Jonathon McCray singled home Riley Krane.

The Crushers got on the board in the fourth inning when Sean Hurley hit his team leading fifth home run of the season. That came against starter Devin Raftery who went five innings while allowing one run on five hits. Hurley went 2-4 in the game.

Windy City answered immediately in the home half of the inning when Beck hit his first home run of the night, making it 3-1. His home run came after an error by Bryan DeLaRosa allowed the at-bat to continue.

Lake Erie got a run closer in the seventh after DeLaRosa doubled and scored on a ground out by Aaron Hill. DeLaRosa went 3-4 with three doubles.

Renzi battled throughout his start. He retired the ThunderBolts in order in the sixth but ran into trouble in the seventh. A one-out double by Matt Brown later proved costly after another error.

With two outs and men on the corners, manager Cam Roth went to the bullpen and brought in Branden Nunn. The right-hander got Tim Zier to hit a routine grounder to third but the throw by Dustin Williams skipped away from first baseman Kewby Meyer. The error on Williams allowed Brown to score.

Renzi finished with 6.2 innings while allowing four runs (two earned). He struck out a season-low two batters while earning a no-decision.

Once again the Crushers used the long ball to get closer. In the eighth inning, Doug Trimble hit his second home run of the season off of reliever Jack Anderson. With the Crushers trailing 4-3, Nunn worked a perfect eighth inning.

In the ninth, the Crushers mounted a rally against Anderson. Pinch hitter Mason Brown led off with a walk and DeLaRosa doubled, putting two in scoring position. Windy City brought in Dan Hlad who issued a walk to Cameron Newell.

With the bases loaded, Hill hit a sacrifice fly to right, tying the game. Lake Erie loaded the bases again against Drew Peden (1-1) after Hurley worked a walk but Williams grounded out to end the inning.

Beck led off the bottom of the ninth against Nunn and he hit his second home run of the night, ending the ThunderBolts seven game losing streak.

Windy City (12-25) will send Zac Westcott (2-5, 3.37 ERA) to the mound while the Crushers go with Alex Romero (3-3, 4.53 ERA). Game time is set for 2:05 CDT.

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.

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Frontier League Stories from June 23, 2018


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