Lake Erie defeats Washington, 5-1
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Washington, PA. – Lake Erie (34-37) coming off a tough loss where they led early on, had an opportunity to bounce back on Saturday night. They faced off against the Washington Wild Things (46-25), a team that has had the Crushers number all season long.
For the second game in a row, the Crushers were the first team to lead. It was a strong pitching effort from five pitchers that helped keep their lead and hold Washington to one run. The Crushers evened the series with a 5-1 win.
The first two innings were scoreless for both teams, but in the third and sixth inning Lake Erie scored three runs. In the third, Connor Owings continued his hot stretch with a two RBI double to right field, his fifth RBI of the series. In the sixth, Kenen Irizarry scored on a wild pitch, extending the lead to three.
The Crushers pitching had their struggles in the Friday night loss, but bounced back in a great performance on Saturday. Recently acquired Nathan Holt received the start for Lake Erie. Holt previously appeared in Thursday night’s game out of the bullpen. He threw four scoreless innings, allowed no runs, one walk, and struck out three. In the fifth inning, another recently acquired Crusher appeared in the game. Josh Zeboskey in his Crusher debut threw an inning and a third, didn’t allow a hit or run with three strikeouts. Trevor Kuncl was the next Crusher to appear. The righty threw an inning and two thirds scoreless, with two strikeouts. In the eighth inning, Cam Roth called his right hand man Sam Curtis out of the bullpen. Curtis, who threw a scoreless inning in last night’s loss, once more continued his great season with a shutout eighth inning on two strikeouts.
Lake Erie up by three, added insurance runs in the ninth inning. Irizarry provided a key two RBI single to center field, extending the lead to five.
Crusher closer Alexis Rivero appeared in the ninth inning for a non-save opportunity. Washington didn’t go down without a fight. Hector Roa put Washington on the board for the first time with an RBI single to center field. The Wild Things with the bases loaded and one out, had two opportunities with the tying run at the plate. Rivero closed the door on the Washington comeback, recording the final two outs, stranding the bases loaded, helping Lake Erie secure a 5-1 win.
The two teams will meet in the series finale on Sunday, August 7th. First pitch is scheduled for 5:35 PM ET.
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