Lake Erie Crushers News & Game Recaps

Crushers Blank Boulders

Lake Erie Crushers shutout New York, 7-0

Box Link: https://frontierleague.com/sports/bsb/2021-22/boxscores/20220524_g752.xml

AVON, Ohio — The Lake Erie Crushers scored their first shutout victory of the season on Tuesday evening at Mercy Health Stadium, as they blanked the New York Boulders, 7-0.

The win for the Crushers (5-5) marked their first win in a series opener, while the loss for the Boulders (4-7) was their fourth in their last five games.

Lake Erie scored seven times on a dozen hits, but Joseph Sgambelluri (2-0) stole the show by tossing six shutout innings to score his second victory.

The Crushers scored three runs in the bottom of the second. Ermindo Escobar started the inning with a walk and came around to score on Kokko Figueiredo’s RBI single to center. Jackson Valera belted a double to left to plate Jarrod Watkins and Jack Harris brought in the final run of the inning on a RBI single to left.

Lake Erie sent nine batters to the plate and scored four runs on three hits to pull away in the bottom of the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and two out, Bryant Flete walked and Escobar was hit by an 0-2 pitch with the bases full to bring in another run. Watkins capped the big inning with a two run single to left.

Sgambelluri has now tossed 11 scoreless innings over his first two starts. He allowed just a pair of hits and struck out seven batters. Merrick Crouse (1) picked up the save after tossing three scoreless innings and fanned four in relief. Danny Wirchansky (0-1) took the loss after allowing three runs on six hits over three of work.

Every Crusher hitter reached safely at least once, and five hit safely twice. Valera led the way at the top of the order, going 2-for-3 and reached safely four times in five plate appearances. Harris, Watkins, Figueiredo and Owings all hit safely twice as well.

The Crushers and Boulders will continue their three game series at Mercy Health Stadium on Wednesday morning. Right-hander Julio Vivas (1-1, 4.91) will start for the Crushers and the Boulders will counter with right hander Robby Rowland (0-1, 5.84). The first pitch is scheduled for 11:05 AM.