Crushers Blitzed by Slammers in Homestand Opener

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Zane Bloom, zbloom@lecrushers.com

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Crushers Blitzed by Slammers in Homestand Opener

Avon, OH - June 30, 2026 - The Lake Erie Crushers (20-26) were blitzed out of the gate by the Joliet Slammers (19-25) in their return to ForeFront Field on Tuesday. They fell 9-2 to start the nine-game homestand.

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It was a quick start in the top of the 1st for Joliet, scoring two runs in the opening frame against LHP Edwin Sanchez, who was making the start for the Crushers fresh off a game-clinching save on Sunday night.

The Slammers plated another run on a double by LF Jackson Beamon in the 2nd. A single from C Brandon Heidel scored Beamon. Then, Joliet put up two more runs in the top of the 3rd to go up 6-0 in the early frames.

1B Garret Pike put the Crushers on the board in the 5th with a clobbered solo home run, his third of the season. In the 6th, LF Sebastian Alexander singled with two outs, then CF Joe Redfield drove him in on with an RBI single. Lake Erie started to make some motion against LHP Gunnar Kines, and the game was 6-2 Joliet going into the 7th.

Joliet put up the next run, though, on a solo homer by newly signed CF Kadon Morton to add on a run in the 8th, and a two-run homer from Jackson Beamon put the game away in the 9th.

The Slammers took home their first win against Lake Erie this season after being swept at home by the Crushers in May. The final score: 9-2.

Gunnar Kines (3-2) tossed a quality start in a winning effort. Edwin Sanchez (3-2) was unable to replicate his saving performance on Sunday, and he received the loss.

The Crushers continue the series tomorrow, Wednesday night at 6:30pm with Bark in the Park. Tickets are available at LECrushers.com. 

For information on season ticket memberships visit lecrushers.com or call (440) 934-3636, and be sure to follow our socials @LECrushers on Instagram/Facebook/X.

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About the Lake Erie Crushers

The Lake Erie Crushers are a professional baseball team based in Avon, Ohio, just 18 miles west of Cleveland at ForeFront Field. They compete in the Frontier League, a proud MLB Partner League, and have brought a family-friendly, fan-oriented baseball experience to Northeast Ohio since 2009. As Lorain County’s only professional sports franchise, the Lake Erie Crushers are the largest economic driver in Lorain County, hosting more than 200 events per year that include over 50 baseball games, concerts, charity functions, and other events that bring the community of Avon together. Len Komoroski is the Crushers Chairman and Managing Partner, and the team is led by President Vic Gregovits. Jared Lemieux, a Maine Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, is in his fourth season as field manager.