Lake Erie Crushers News & Game Recaps

July 07, 2023

Box Score: https://www.frontierleague.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/boxscores/20230707_5ly3.xml 

SCHAUMBURG, IL – The Lake Erie Crushers dropped a nail-biter to the Schaumburg Boomers by a final score of 4-3.

The Boomers (30-18) snapped a Crushers (21-28) win streak that was up to three games. Lake Erie’s attempt at a comeback was valiant, but Schaumburg edged out the win to take Game 1 of the series.

The Boomers jumped on the board first with a three-spot in the bottom of the third inning. After two walks with as many outs, Schaumburg strung together three straight singles to score early and jump on Lake Erie 3-0.

The Crushers responded in the sixth frame with a leadoff single from Jarrod Watkins. After a Zach Racusin base knock with one away, both runners advanced on a fielder’s choice.

Josh Rego dug into the box and ripped a two-RBI single through the left side of the infield to get the Crushers within one. 

In the eighth inning, Watkins singled for the second time tonight. Kemuel Thomas-Rivera then walked and after a fielder’s choice, Drue Galassi was intentionally walked to load the bases. Rego stepped up to the plate and walked in a run to even the game at 3-3.

The bases were still loaded, but that would put an end to the Crushers’ offense. A second fielder’s choice of the inning had Thomas-Rivera nailed at the plate, and Sean Cheely struck out to end the frame. 

The Boomers scored one in the bottom of the inning on a fielder’s choice RBI from Blake Berry, and the Crushers couldn’t get anything going in the ninth inning as they went one-two-three to end the game.

Neither starter was tabbed with a decision tonight. Yasel Santana toed the rubber for the Grapes and went 6.0 innings. He allowed three runs on four hits while striking out a quartet of Boomers and surrendered as many walks.

Cristian Lopez (4-0) earned the win after coming on in the eighth inning. The loss was charged to Trevor Kuncl (0-4) who went 2.0 innings allowing a run on two hits while earning four punchouts.

The Crushers will be back at it tomorrow to face off against the Boomers in an attempt to even up the series at one apiece. The first pitch will be at 6:00 PM ET.