Lake Erie Crushers News & Game Recaps

Split Decision

Lake Erie splits double header with Southern Illinois

AVON, Ohio — On a night where pitching reigned supreme, the Lake Erie Crushers split a double header with the Southern Illinois Miners at Mercy Health Stadium, winning game one 1-0, before being no-hit in a 2-0 loss in game two.

The Crushers (8-10) saw a three game winning streak come to an end with the loss in game two while the Miners (7-11) have now won two out of their last three games.

Game One

Pitching dominated the first game, as both starting pitchers put on a show. Lake Erie lefty Ryan Feierabend (1-2) held the Miners scoreless through six innings while allowing just five hits along the way and fanned four to pick up the win.

Feierabend’s counterpart, Gunnar Kines (0-1) ended up the hard luck loser in the contest, after allowing just a run on only two hits and he struck out nine over six innings.

The lone run for the Crushers came on the game’s only extra base hit. Isaac Benard reached on an errant throw from Miners third baseman Ian Walters, and he scored later in the inning on Trevor Achenbach’s RBI double down the line in left.

Lake Erie turned the game over to J.T. Perez (2) in the top of the seventh inning, and he fanned all three batters he faced to pick up the save.

Game Two

Southern Illinois right-hander Michael Austin (1-1) stole the show in game two, tossing a no hitter and struck out five batters. Lake Erie had just two base runners in the game, with Connor Oliver and Zack Gray reaching on walks.

The Miners didn’t waste any time getting started in the second game. Anthony Brocato started the game by sending the third pitch he saw from former Miner Robby Rowland (2-1) down the right field line for a leadoff double. A four pitch walk was then issued to Yeltsin Gudino and a wild pitch allowed them both to advance. Walters then brought Brocato home on an RBI groundout.

Walters struck again in the top of the fifth inning when he belted a run scoring single to right to score Mangieri and give the Miners a 2-0 lead.

Rowland took the loss, allowing a pair of runs on five hits and walked three batters over four innings of work.

The Crushers and Miners will continue their series at Mercy Health Stadium on Wednesday night. Right-hander Sean Johnson (0-2, 1.00) will get the start for the Crushers and the Miners will counter with righty Kaleb Schmidt (1-0, 2.25). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.