Crushers Rout Mississippi 13-2, Even Series With Mud Monsters

The Lake Erie Crushers wasted no time Wednesday night, putting four runs on the board before recording a single out and cruising to a 13-2 win over the Mississippi Mud Monsters in Pearl. The lopsided victory evens the six-game series at one game apiece. Fast Start Sets the Tone Third baseman Pavin Parks, first baseman Jacob Tobias, and right fielder Garret Pike each delivered RBI singles in the top of the first inning against Mississippi right-hander Jackson Smith. Shortstop Jarrod Watkins then lifted a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0 before starting pitcher Edwin Sanchez threw his first pitch. Sanchez allowed a run on a wild pitch in the second but settled in quickly. The Crushers pushed the lead to 6-1 in the third on RBI singles from Watkins and designated hitter Samuel Benjamin. Watkins Powers the Offense Catcher Nick Chavez added an RBI on a fielder’s choice in the fifth to extend the lead to 7-1. Mississippi cut it to 7-2 on an RBI triple by second baseman AJ Fritz in the sixth, but Lake Erie answered in the seventh with bases-loaded walks drawn by left fielder Sebastian Alexander and center fielder Joe Redfield. The Crushers put the game away with four more runs in the eighth. Watkins delivered a two-RBI double, Chavez added an RBI single, and Alexander contributed a sacrifice fly. Watkins finished with four RBI on the night. Eight of the nine Crushers starters scored a run. Sanchez Solid on the Mound Sanchez earned his second consecutive win, finishing with a line of 5.1 innings pitched, three hits, two earned runs, four walks, and one strikeout on 92 pitches. Right-handers Christian Scafidi, Henry Chabot, and Dawson Hargrove combined for 3.2 scoreless innings of relief, each recording a strikeout. Smith took the loss for Mississippi, lasting just four innings. What’s Next The Crushers return to action Thursday, June 25, at 7:30 p.m. ET for game three of six in Pearl. Lake Erie comes home to ForeFront Field in Avon on Tuesday, June 30, to open a nine-game homestand against the Joliet Slammers. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at LECrushers.com .