Crushers win game one by a score of 6-0 and lose game two by a score of 2-1 to Gateway
AVON, Ohio — The Lake Erie Crushers, presented by Mercy Health, had timely hitting in game one but failed to capitalize on opportunities in game two and effectively split the double header with the Gateway Grizzlies. The Crushers won game one by a score of 6-0 but lost game two in a close game 2-1.
The Crushers (41-37) did not increase their lead on Schaumburg for first place in the Eastern division with the results today. While the Grizzlies (32-47) win their third game in their last ten with the win in the second game of the twin bill.
Pat Ledet (5-4) picked up the win in the first game as he turned in a fantastic start. Ledet did not allow a run, walked one and struck out four over his 6.0 innings of work. Patrick Boyle (0-3) earned the loss in the first game. Boyle gave up six earned runs on one hit and walked six over his 0.1 innings pitched.
It was a pitcher’s duel in the first game until the bottom of the sixth. Gateway’s starter for game one, Reign Letkeman, threw incredibly well. Letkeman only gave up two hits and struck out five over his 5.0 innings.
Once the Grizzlies went to the bullpen, the Crushers capitalized. In the sixth inning, Boyle came out to pitch for Gateway. Logan Farrar hit a lead off double to start the offense. Boyle then went on to walk the next three batters in a row to walk in the first run of the game. With the bases loaded and no outs, Bryan De La Rosa hit an RBI sac fly for the first out of the inning. After De La Rosa’s at-bat, Boyle walked the next three batters before being taken out of the game.
Gateway had an unorthodox approach for their next relief pitcher. In order to save arms for the double header, the Grizzlies put their shortstop Brent Sakurai on the bump to get the final two outs of the inning. Steven Kraft was the first batter Sakurai faced. Kraft roped a two-run single off Sakurai to score the fifth and sixth runs of the inning. Then Sakurai got the next two batters out with fly outs to end the inning.
Logan Lombana shut the door on the Grizzlies in the seventh inning to secure the 6-0 win for Lake Erie.
Nick Stroud (2-2) got the win for the second game as he gave up only one run on three hits over his 2.0 innings of work. Sam Curtis (0-1) is credited with the loss in game two. Curtis gave up two runs on five hits over 3.0 innings.
The scoring started in the second inning for the Grizzlies. Andrew Daniel hit a one out single off Curtis to get things rolling. Shawon Dunston Jr. followed up with a single of his own to move Daniel into scoring position. A batter later, Greg White hit an RBI double to score Daniel. The next run of the inning for Gateway came moments later on an RBI groundout hit by Wesley Jones to make it a 2-0 game.
The Crushers only run of the game came in the next half inning. Zach Racusin hit a double to start the inning. Stroud then got Dale Burdick to fly out to center for the first out of the inning. But Jake Vieth came up clutch for the Crushers as he hit an RBI single to score Racusin and cut the deficit down to one.
Stroud then walked Karl Ellison and John Cable to load the bases with only one out. But he got out of the jam by striking out Hill and then getting Marrero to fly out to end the inning.
The only other chance Lake Erie had to score was in the fifth inning. Marrero hit a one out single and advanced into scoring position on Farrar’s walk. But the Crushers could not score Marrero to tie the game.
The Crushers will continue the four-game series with the Gateway Grizzlies on Wednesday at Sprenger Health Care Stadium in Avon, Ohio. Jake Repavich (4-5, 5.01) will be on the mound for Lake Erie. While the Grizzlies will counter with Dominic Topoozian (5-5, 3.73).
The Lake Erie Crushers, the 2009 Frontier League Champions, and 2011 Frontier League Organization of the year, play ball at Sprenger Health Care Stadium, a 5,000 capacity stadium located in Avon, Ohio. The Frontier League is an independent baseball league with 10 teams operating throughout the Midwest. For more information on tickets, promotions and team news, visit the team website at www.LakeErieCrushers.com or call 440-934-3636.
Video: Game 1 LE Crushers vs. Gateway Grizzlies Game . 20190803
Video: Game 2 LE Crushers vs. Gateway Grizzlies Game . 20190803
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