Crushers Rally Falls Short in 4-3 Loss to ThunderBolts

The Lake Erie Crushers fell 4-3 to the Windy City ThunderBolts on Friday night at Ozinga Field, dropping to 14-17 on the season. Windy City improved to 13-16 and remained unbeaten on Fridays in 2026. Early Trouble The Crushers had a chance to strike first in the top of the first inning, drawing three walks against ThunderBolts starter Dante Maietta. He escaped the jam without allowing a run. Windy City answered in the bottom of the second against Lake Erie starter Edwin Sanchez. An RBI single, a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch combined to bring home three runs and give the ThunderBolts a 3-0 lead. Sanchez settled in after that rocky inning. He did not allow another hit over his final three frames, finishing with five innings pitched, four hits, three earned runs, two walks and six strikeouts on 102 pitches in his second professional start. Crushers Chip Away Maietta walked six batters over more than five innings before finally running into trouble in the top of the sixth. After he walked the leadoff hitter, his replacement walked the next batter as well. A two run double cut the deficit to 3-2, and a wild pitch brought in another run before the rally was stranded. Lake Erie kept pushing in the top of the eighth. A leadoff walk and a single put runners on against Windy City reliever Carsen Plumadore, prompting a pitching change. The Crushers countered with a pinch hitter who delivered a clutch grounder that snuck inside first base, tying the game at 3-3. The go ahead run stood just 90 feet away, but a sharp double play turn by the ThunderBolts third baseman ended the threat. Bolts Take the Lead for Good In the bottom of the eighth, Windy City manufactured the winning run. A leadoff single set up a sacrifice bunt, and after a strikeout for the second out, a two strike sweeper was placed softly into center field for a go ahead RBI single. Lake Erie could not answer in the ninth, falling 4-3. Up Next The Crushers and ThunderBolts continue their series Saturday, June 13 at 7:05 p.m. ET at Ozinga Field. Lake Erie returns home Tuesday, June 16 to open a six game homestand, highlighted by Military Appreciation Night on Friday, June 19 featuring a military jersey auction and postgame fireworks.