Lake Erie Crushers News & Game Recaps

Off and Running

Crushers start 2022 season with a 7-4 loss

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AVON, Ohio — The Lake Erie Crushers opened the 2022 season on Friday evening with a 7-4 loss to Trois Rivieres Aigles at Mercy Health Stadium.

The Crushers (0-1) are now 4-7 in home openers and 2-9 in season openers dating back to the 2011 season. The win for Trois Rivieres Aigles is their first as a member of the Frontier League.

Trois Riveieres jumped on the board first in the top of the second inning when Canice Ejoh belted a two out RBI double down the line in left to score Dustyn Macaluso. They added to their lead in the top of the fourth when Carlos Martinez belted a solo homer to left.

Lake Erie tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Bryant Flete started the inning with a walk and came around to score when Kokko Figueiredo reached on a fielder’s choice. Two batters later, Ermindo Escobar belted a two out RBI single to score Figueiredo to tie the game at 2-2.

It didn’t take long for Trois Rivieres to respond, as they scored three times in the top of the fifth inning to take the lead for good. Juan Kelly brought the first run home on a RBI base hit to center and Raphael Gladu followed with a two-run homer to left. They added another run in the top of the seventh when Martinez belted a two out single to center to score Gladu.

Lake Erie was able to draw a little closer with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Jack Harris started the inning with a single and scored on Jackson Valera’s RBI double to left. Escobar was able to draw a bases loaded walk to bring Valera home, but the Crusher rally ended there.

Sam Belisle-Springer (1-0) scored the victory for Trois Rivieres, tossing six strong innings and allowed just a pair of runs on five hits and struck out four batters. Kyle Thomas (1) worked a scoreless ninth inning to secure the save. Zach Jones (0-1) took the loss for the Crushers after allowing a trio of runs on three hits over two innings of relief.

Three Crushers hit safely multiple times on the night. Escobar went 2-for-3 and plated a pair of runs while Danny Perez also went 2-for-3, reaching three times on the night and Valera went 2-for-5 with a run scored drove a run in as well.

Lake Erie and Trois Rivieres will continue their three game series to start the year on Saturday evening at Mercy Health Stadium. Right-hander Julio Vivas will start for the Crushers and righty Kyle Bell will start for Trois Rivieres. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM.