Lake Erie Crushers News & Game Recaps

Opening Statement

Crushers erupt for 10 runs in season opening win over Quebec

Box Link: https://frontierleague.com/sports/bsb/2022-23/boxscores/20230512_xswm.xml

AVON, Ohio — The Lake Erie Crushers scored 10 times on 13 hits at MercyHealth Stadium on Friday evening and came away with a 10-6 victory over the Quebec Capitales in their 2023 season opener.

The victory for Crushers (1-0) was their first in a home opener since 2019, and the loss for the defending Frontier League Champion Quebec Capitales (0-1) was their third in four games against the Crushers in the all-time series.

Lake Erie wasted no time firing the first shot. Santiago Chirino’s first of two hits on the night was a one out double in the bottom of the first inning. He made his way to third after Jack Harris reached on a fielder’s choice, then came around to score on a throwing error from catcher Reece Yeargain. On the next pitch, Vincent Byrd Jr. extended the lead with a RBI single to right to score Harris.

Quebec answered quickly, sending 11 batters to the plate in the top of the second and they scored six times on five hits to take a 6-2 lead. Juremi Profar and Kyle Crowl started the inning with back-to-back singles before a walk was issued to Jonathan LaCroix to load the bases. Profar was retired on a force out at home moments later on Ryan Roell’s groundout to third. Yeargain then reached on a fielder’s choice, but on the play, Brendan Dadson’s errant throw to second allowed a run to score. Marc Antoine-Lebreux drove the tying run home on a sacrifice fly before Justin Gideon belted a three-run homer to right. Profar brought in the final run of the inning with a single to left to score TJ White.

Lake Erie responded immediately, plating four runs in the home half of the second to tie the game at 6-6. Sean Lawlor was hit by a pitch to start the inning and he came around to score on Sean Cheely’s RBI double down the line in left. Todd Isaacs Jr. reached on a single to center, setting the stage for Chirino’s game tying three run homer to left.

The Crushers took the lead again in the bottom of the fourth when Dadson belted a RBI single to center to score Isaacs. Lake Erie then added three big insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh to pull away. Dadson started the inning with a single to center and Harris drove him home on a RBI double to gap in left center. John Tucillo reached on an errant throw from the shortstop, Kyle Crowl, which allowed Harris to score and Lawlor brought in the final run of the game with a RBI single.

After Quebec’s six run explosion in the second inning, the Crushers held them to just two hits the rest of the way. Lake Erie used six different arms out of the bullpen, which held the Capitales scoreless through the final six frames. Perry Bewley (1-0) tossed a scoreless fourth inning and allowed just a base hit to score the victory. Yasel Santana, Brayden Bonner, Trevor Kuncl, JD Hammer and Sam Curtis all worked scoreless innings in relief.

The top four batters in the Lake Erie batting order hit safely multiple times. Harris led the way, going 3-for-4 with a double, while Isaacs, Chirino and Dadson all hit safely twice.

The Crushers will continue their series with the Capitales at Mercy Health Stadium on Saturday night. Lefty Kyle Seebach will get the start for the Crushers and the Capitales will counter with right-hander Carlos Sano. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM.