Lake Erie Crushers News & Game Recaps

Crushers split double header with Washington

Box Link Game One: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscoretext.html?gameid=566475

Box Link Game Two: http://pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscoretext.html?gameid=542535

AVON, Ohio — The Lake Erie Crushers split a double header with the Washington Wild Things at Mercy Health Stadium on Thursday evening, taking game one 5-1, before falling in the second game, 6-1.

Lake Erie (32-36) is now 10-10 in double headers this season, while Washington (36-32) has now beaten the Crushers four times in six games in Avon.

Game One

Lake Erie was able to take an early lead by scoring two times in the bottom of the second inning. Steve Passatempo started the inning with a solo homer to left, his sixth of the season. Brody Wofford then snapped an 0-for-14 skid by doubling to center field and he came around to score on Eric Callahan’s RBI single to right.

The Crushers added three more in the bottom of the third. Connor Oliver started the three run rally with a solo shot to right, his seventh of the season and his fourth this month. Passatempo smacked a two out single to center field and Wofford brought him home with a two run homer to right center, his seventh of the season.

Washington plated their only run in the top of the sixth inning on a solo homer from Nick Ward, his second of the series and his fifth of the season. Andrew Sohn followed with a single before Jake Pilarski (3-2) struck out Scotty Dubrule and then got Bralin Jackson to ground into an inning ending 5-4-3 double play.

Pilarski was terrific for a second straight start. He picked up the victory after allowing just a run on three hits over six innings of work and struck out seven. Washington’s Daren Osby (3-4) took the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits through five innings of work.

Game Two

Lake Erie fired the first shot again, and used a pair of two out doubles in the first inning to do it. Trevor Achenbach reached on a two out double down the right field line and came home on a double off the bat of Karl Ellison.

Washington tied the game in the top of the second inning on a solo homer from Grant Heyman, his seventh of the year. They took a 2-1 lead one inning later, as Cody Young began the top of the third on a solo shot down the line in left, his third of the year.

The Crushers spoiled an opportunity to score in the bottom of the second inning when they had runners on second and third with nobody out, and had a hard time getting back on track after that.

Washington put the game out of reach by scoring four times in the top of the sixth inning. Andrew Sohn started the inning with a walk and moved to third on a double from Dubrule. Bralin Jackson brought Sohn home on a sacrifice fly out, and two batters later, Hector Roa belted a RBI single to give Washington a 4-1 lead. The back breaker came on a two run single from Young to cap the inning.

Ben Vicini (4-0) picked up the victory for Washington, tossing two-thirds of the fifth inning and retired both batters he faced. Sam Curtis (3-1) took the loss after allowing six runs on six hits while fanning four over 5 1/3 innings of action.

Oliver had three hits on the night and has now hit safely in 10 straight games and reached base in 11 consecutive games.

The Crushers are back on the road on Friday night, when they take on the Evansville Otters. The first pitch on Friday night in Evansville, Indiana is scheduled for 7:35 PM.