Things blow late lead, fall to Crushers

AVON, Ohio – Washington took a 3-2 lead into the eighth against Lake Erie Tuesday night in search for its fifth win in six games.
Lake Erie had different plans, though, as the Crushers scored four runs in the inning to defeat the Wild Things, 6-3.
After the first batter of the eighth struck out, the next five Crushers reached base on three singles, a walk and an error.
Third baseman Cody Lenahan’s two-run single gave Lake Erie a 4-3 lead, while catcher Tanner Lubach added some insurance with a two-out double that scored two more runs, both unearned.
A double from center fielder Connor Oliver opened the scoring for the Crushers in the top of the first inning. A sacrifice fly from Lubach, who had three RBI, scored a second run.
The Wild Things answered with a run in the third inning on a Rashad Brown single. Washington took a 3-2 in the sixth inning when Kane Sweeney’s double knocked in Bralin Jackson after he reached on a triple.
Wild Things starter Chase Cunningham allowed two runs and three hits in 5 1/3 innings, while Crushers pitcher Payton Lobdell struck out seven and allowed three runs over six innings.
Vince Apicella (0-1) suffered the loss for the Wild Things, giving up two runs and only getting one out in the eighth inning.
Lake Erie’s Seth Lucio (1-0) threw a scoreless eighth to earn the victory, while Chandler Jagodzinski picked up his ninth save.