Lake Erie Crushers News & Game Recaps

Lake Erie defeats Windy City, 7-6

Box Link: https://frontierleague.com/sports/bsb/2021-22/boxscores/20220616_8gp2.xml

Crestwood, Ill. – Thursday, June 16th was the rubber match in the series finale against the Lake Erie Crushers (13-17) and Windy City Thunderbolts (14-15). 

The Crushers led throughout the game with their largest lead at seven, Windy City almost completed the improbable comeback but fell one run short as the Crushers won 7-6 to take the series. 

Lake Erie scored their first run in the first inning. Austin White scored on the fielding error by the second baseman, 1-0.

It wasn’t until the fourth inning where Lake Erie scored again, platting six runs total. Kokko Figueiredo singled up the middle scoring Jackson Valera, 2-0. Connor Owings continued his hot stretch at the plate with an RBI double to center field, scoring Kenen Irizarry, 3-0. Connor Owings and Kokko Figuerido scored on a fielding error by the first baseman, 5-0. Devon Fisher continued the scoring parade with a two RBI triple to right field, 7-0.

Joseph Sgambelluri received the start for the Crushers. He cruised through the first three innings but ran into trouble in the fourth and fifth inning. A two run home run to right field by Peyton Isaacson cut into the deficit, 7-2. In the fifth inning, Dan Robinson drew a bases loaded walk, 7-3. Daryl Myers roped a two RBI single to right field, making it a 7-5 game. Sgambelluri threw 5.1 IP, allowing six runs, and striking out eight Windy City hitters.

Windy City wasn’t done yet as in the sixth inning Jairus Richards lined an RBI single to right field, marking the sixth unanswered run by the Thunderbolts, cutting the deficit to one, 7-6. 

As the game got closer and closer, the Crushers called Sam Curtis out of the bullpen for the seventh and eighth inning. Curtis, the usual closer, still delivered on the mound. He threw two innings, allowed one hit, no runs, and struck out three batters. 

\Going into the ninth, Alexis Rivero was called out of the bullpen to try and convert his third save opportunity of the year. Rivero, like in his first two saves, sealed the deal for the Crushers. Earning the save while striking out two, giving the Crushers a 7-6 win.