Crushers Fall to Washington Despite Late Rally at ForeFront Field
Sports — Avon
Lake Erie cuts deficit to one in the eighth before Wild Things pull away for 8-3 victory.
The Lake Erie Crushers mounted a dramatic late charge Friday night but could not complete the comeback, falling to the Washington Wild Things 8-3 in game two of their series at ForeFront Field in Avon. More than 4,000 fans watched what began as a classic pitchers duel. Neither team scored through the first four innings, with Crushers right-hander Fraynel Nova retiring 12 consecutive batters to open the game while Washington starter Maddox Long was equally dominant. Washington Breaks Through in the Fifth The Wild Things finally got on the board in the fifth inning. Frontier League veteran Andrew Czech doubled to ignite a rally, and Washington plated Czech, Caleb Ketchup and Ryan Ford to take a 3-0 lead. Nova continued to deal despite the deficit, finishing with one of his best outings of the season. He threw seven innings, allowing four hits, three runs (two earned), no walks and five strikeouts on 83 pitches. A Jam, a Double Play and a Glimmer of Hope Left-hander Kenny Pierson ran into trouble in the eighth, surrendering the series’ first walk and loading the bases with no outs. Washington added just one run in the frame, as Pierson escaped on a momentum-shifting double play. Then the Crushers came alive against Long in the bottom of the eighth. Center fielder Joe Redfield singled to start the rally. Defensive replacement Sebastian Alexander followed with a single of his own. Shortstop Jarrod Watkins then drove a ground ball through the gap to score Redfield. Third baseman Pavin Parks poked a ball on the infield that stayed fair long enough to score Alexander. A wild pitch brought Watkins home, cutting the deficit to 4-3 and sending the crowd into a frenzy. Wild Things Put It Away in the Ninth The momentum did not last. Washington opened the ninth with four consecutive hits, each runner eventually crossing the plate. The Wild Things added four runs to make the final score 8-3, ending any hope of a Crushers comeback. Nova was charged with the loss despite his strong effort. Long earned the win for Washington, and Kelvin Perez recorded the save. Up Next: Father’s Day Finale The Crushers look to take the series Sunday, June 21, with a 1 p.m. first pitch at ForeFront Field. The game features Sunday Family Fun Day, including pregame catch on the field, free admission for kids 12 and under for food, postgame base running and player autographs. Tickets are available at LECrushers.com .
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Crushers-Wild Things game on June 20?
The Washington Wild Things beat the Lake Erie Crushers 8-3 in game two of the series at ForeFront Field in Avon. Lake Erie rallied to within 4-3 in the eighth inning before Washington added four runs in the ninth to put the game away.
How did Fraynel Nova pitch for the Crushers?
Nova turned in one of his best outings of the season, retiring 12 consecutive batters to open the game and throwing seven innings with four hits, three runs (two earned), no walks and five strikeouts on 83 pitches. He was charged with the loss; Maddox Long earned the win for Washington and Kelvin Perez recorded the save.
How did the Crushers’ eighth-inning rally unfold?
Joe Redfield singled to start the inning and Sebastian Alexander followed with a single. Jarrod Watkins drove a ground ball through the gap to score Redfield, Pavin Parks poked an infield ball that stayed fair to score Alexander, and a wild pitch brought Watkins home, cutting the deficit to 4-3.
When is the next Lake Erie Crushers game?
The Crushers look to take the series on Sunday, June 21, with a 1 p.m. first pitch at ForeFront Field. The Father’s Day finale features Sunday Family Fun Day, including pregame catch on the field, free admission for kids 12 and under for food, postgame base running and player autographs. Tickets are available at LECrushers.com.