Lake Erie Crushers News & Game Recaps

Crusher Bats Silenced By Boomers

Lake Erie held to two hits in 3-0 loss to Schaumburg

Box Link: https://frontierleague.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/boxscores/20230620_fnj3.xml

AVON, Ohio — The Lake Erie Crushers were held to just a pair of hits and had just three base runners all night long as they dropped their series opener to the Schaumburg Boomers, 3-0 on Tuesday night at Mercy Health Stadium.

The Crushers (15-19) have now lost three in a row, and five out of their last six overall, while the win for the Boomers (21-12) marks their fourth shutout victory of the season.

Schaumburg’s starting pitcher Jackson Hickert (3-1) stole the show. Not only did he record a two hit complete game shutout, but he also flirted with perfection, as he retired the first 19 batters he faced. Hickert fanned nine batters and issued just one free pass on a night where he baffled the Lake Erie offense.

Jarrod Watkins spoiled Hickert’s perfect run when he smacked a one out double down the line in right in the bottom of the seventh. Jiandido Tromp had Lake Erie’s only other hit with a two out single in the eighth.

All three of Schaumburg’s runs came with two outs. Gaige Howard walked to start the top of the third inning. He stole second and came around to score on a two out RBI single to left off the bat of Chase Dawson.

Thomas Bruss retired the first two batters he faced in the top of the fourth inning before he walked Alec Craig. Craig stole second and third and scored on Blake Grant-Parks’s single to right field.

The Boomers added one last run in the top of the ninth. Zach Ruffins reached on a one out single to center before advancing to second on a balk. Dawson struck again as he belted a single to center to plate Ruffins.

Darrien Ragins (1-1) took the loss for the Crushers after allowing a run on two hits while walking three and fanning six batters in three innings of work. Sam Frontino delivered a pair of scoreless innings of one hit relief. 

The Crushers will continue their three game series with the Boomers at Mercy Health Stadium on Wednesday night. Right-hander JD Hammer (0-1, 2.89) will get the start for the Crushers. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.