Lake Erie Crushers News & Game Recaps

Evansville, IN – The Lake Erie Crushers (13-9) dropped game one of their series in Indiana against the Evansville Otters (7-15) on Tuesday by a score of 3-1. The loss puts the Crushers 2.5 games behind the first place Washington Wild Things in the Frontier League West standings.

The Crushers would load the bases in the top of the first inning, but Evansville starter, Braden Scott, wiggled out, inducing a popup to escape unscathed.

Both starting pitchers were excellent in this ballgame, trading scoreless innings into the 6th inning. Lake Erie’s LHP Darrien Ragins made his third start of the season and was very good through five innings. His final line was 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K.

In an interview with Crushers play-by-play broadcaster, Zane Bloom, Ragins said after his last start that his goal moving forward was to “put up zeroes”, and he did just that on Tuesday against Evansville.

Braden Scott was equally as effective, going six scoreless innings giving up 3 hits, 3 walks, and striking out 10 Crushers hitters.

Scott would be in line for the win for Evansville, as they would crack the deadlock in the bottom of the 6th. LHP Cal Carver came in relief of Ragins, giving up an RBI single to LF Randy Bednar. Carver’s flawless 0.00 ERA would have its first wrinkle after 10 appearances and 12 innings pitched. Evansville took the 1-0 lead into the 8th inning.

Evansville’s Jon Beymer, on for his second inning of work, served up a meatball – but when it comes to Lake Erie, meatballs are only served with Alfredo [Gonzalez]. Gonzo socked a 1-0 pitch all the way to Louisville, Kentucky, tying the game 1-1 in the 8th. No marinara sauce to be found anywhere.

In the bottom half, RHP Sammy Tavarez would come on for Lake Erie and get two quick outs, but then would run into trouble after a hit by pitch and an infield single. With two men on and two outs, DH Mike Peabody would send a ball deep to center field that would kick off the base of the wall, allowing both runners to score. Evansville would take a 3-1 lead late.

Michael McAvene would come on for the save in the 9th for the Otters. Despite a two out walk, McAvene would get out of the 9th and hand Evansville a 3-1 victory.

Sammy Tavarez (1-1) would suffer the loss, Jon Beymer (1-0) notched his first win of the season, and Michael McAvene would snag his first save of 2024.

The Crushers will match up against Evansville once again on Wednesday, June 5 at 1:05pm EST. Matt Mulhearn will get the ball for Lake Erie.