LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS News & Game Recaps

An opening win in any series is considered a success, but when it comes in comeback fashion, it’s even sweeter. The Crushers’ big win paired with a Washington loss means Lake Erie is now alone in 1st place in the Frontier League West.

For whatever reason, the Thunderbolts have found success this season off of Lake Erie ace, LHP Jack Eisenbarger, and they continued that trend on Tuesday.

In the 1st the Thunderbolts struck for three singles en route to a pair of runs in the opening frame. They’d pick up where they left off once again in the 2nd, logging two more runs. They would lead 4-0 after two.

In the 3rd, C JJ Figueroa cranked an RBI double to put the Bolts up 5-0, and Windy City was feeling it.

When trailing by five runs in the bottom of the 4th, RF Jack Harris reached first on an error with one out. Then, DH Vincent Byrd Jr. doubled to bring up LF Ronald Washington. Washington sat on his pitch and launched a ballistic missile over the berm behind the left field wall for a 3-run homer. Washington’s blast gave the Crushers some life, and they weren’t done in the 4th. 1B Michel Triana reached base on a hit-by-pitch, stole second, advanced to 3rd, then rumbled home on a wild pitch delivered by Windy City starter, LHP Michael Barker. The Crushers struck for four runs in the 4th and were right back in the game – down just 5-4.

Eisenbarger didn’t have his best stuff on Tuesday, but he settled in to set down the Thunderbolts 1-2-3 in the 5th and keep the Crushers within striking distance.

The Crushers would find that strike in the bottom of the 7th. 3B Logan Thomason ripped a single up the middle, sending 2B Walner Espinal home to tie the game 5-5. Then, Jack Harris launched a fly ball into right field that got down, scoring the go-ahead run. Harris motored all the way to 3rd on the play, logging his second triple of the season. Harris would score on an RBI double by Ronald Washington moments later to make the score 7-5. Washington’s 4 RBI is a season high, and he continues to mash Windy City pitching.

The Crushers would plate two more insurance runs in the 8th, leading 9-5 going into the 9th.

The final inning of the game would be locked down by reliever LHP Cal Carver. He set down the Thunderbolts 1-2-3 in the 9th to officially complete the comeback. Lake Erie scored nine (9!) unanswered runs to steal a game from Windy City.

Credit where credit is due – the Lake Erie bullpen effectively shut down the Windy City offense after Eisenbarger’s five innings. RHP Leonardo Rodriguez, LHP Kenny Pierson, RHP Sammy Tavarez, and the aforementioned Cal Carver combined for four scoreless innings, giving up just one walk and one hit.

LHP Kenny Pierson (1-2) got the win after tossing .2 IP. Windy City’s LHP Caleb Riedel (1-1) would be tagged with the loss.

Lake Erie now turns its attention to Wednesday, July 3, where they will partake in game two of the series. With postgame fireworks to follow, the first pitch is set to begin at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday’s fireworks show is set to be the biggest fireworks show in Lorain County, and the largest at Crushers Stadium this season!

Join us for the Fourth of July as well! We’ve got postgame fireworks, half of Great Lake Brewing products, and baseball! It’s a 7:05pm start time, so grill out for lunch and join us at the ballpark for a fun evening as we celebrate America!

Interested in attending? Tickets can be found at the link provided below: https://mlb.tickets.com/schedule/?agency=LERV_PL_MPV&orgid=57231#/?view=list&includePackages=true

Can’t join us at the ballpark? No worries! You can stream the Lake Erie Crushers all season long at FloSports.tv.

Frontier League Standings: https://frontierleague.com/sports/bsb/2023-24/overall-standings

Be sure to also follow the Crushers on Instagram/Facebook/X @LECrushers!