Lake Erie Crushers News & Game Recaps

Crushers Keep Rolling at Home

Four run fourth pushes Crushers past Jackals in 4-2 win

Box Link: https://frontierleague.com/sports/bsb/2021-22/boxscores/20220730_3ckm.xml

AVON, Ohio — The Lake Erie Crushers continued their winning ways at home on Saturday night, as they used a four run fourth inning and great pitching to score a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Jackals at Mercy Health Stadium.

Lake Erie (32-33) has now won five straight at home, and the win clinched a series victory, marking their fourth in their last five while the loss for New Jersey (30-34) was their fourth in their last five games.

New Jersey scored first for the second night in a row. Joe Simone won a nine pitch battle against Kyle Seebach (1-1) with a double down the line in right to start the game and came around to score on Justin Wylie’s two out RBI single.

The Jackals added another run in the top of the second. George Bell Jr. smacked a one out double to left center and came around to score three batters later when Simone belted a two out RBI double to left.

New Jersey’s starting pitcher Yasel Santana (2-5) retired nine out of the first 10 batters he faced through his first three innings of work, before the Crushers chased him out of the game in the bottom of the fourth. Jackson Valera started the inning with a single to right, before Kemuel Thomas-Rivera smashed a two-run homer to left, his fourth of the season to tie the game at 2-2. Kenen Irizarry followed with a single before Jake Gitter walked. Matt McDermott reached on a bunt to load the bases for Sean Cheely, who gave Lake Erie the lead with a sacrifice fly to left to score Irizarry. Connor Owings, the ninth batter of the inning was able to draw a bases loaded walk to bring in the final run of the frame, giving the Crushers a 4-2 advantage.

In his second professional start, Seebach turned in a terrific start for the Crushers. He earned the victory after allowing just a pair of runs on six hits while striking out seven over six innings of work. Ean Walda and Sam Curtis both tossed scoreless innings in relief and Alexis Rivero (9) tossed a scoreless ninth inning to grab his second save in as many nights. Santana took the loss after allowing four runs on five hits through three and a third innings.

Every Crusher batter reached safely at least once on the night. Gitter was the only Crusher to reach twice.

In their last five games, Lake Erie’s starting pitching has been terrific. Starting pitchers have gone six innings or more in every start and allowed two runs or less during that stretch as well.

The Crushers will finish their series with the Jackals at Mercy Health Stadium on Sunday evening. Right-hander Matt Mulhearn (3-2, 2.52) will get the start for the Crushers and the first pitch is scheduled for 5:35 PM.