Crushers Defeated by Grizzlies 9-1

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Zane Bloom, zbloom@lecrushers.com

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Crushers Defeated by Grizzlies 9-1

Sauget, IL - July 26, 2026 - The Lake Erie Crushers (28-38) narrowly avoided the shutout against the Gateway Grizzlies (31-34) in a 9-1 loss on Sunday afternoon in Sauget. They fall to 7.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot in the Midwest Conference.

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For the third time this series, Gateway started the game with early offense. All but one Grizzlie reached base safely the first time through the order, with 3B Bryson Horne scored three runs when he sent a ball over the right field fence. 

Crushers starter Alex Garbrick left the contest after two outs due to the extreme heat in Sauget. After the 30-minute inning reached its conclusion, the Grizzlies led 6-0.

Both teams worked quickly through the next few innings before Gateway struck again for three runs in the 4th to make it 9-0, which was plenty enough support for their starter.

Gateway starter Gage Vailes was dominant in his six innings of work. He did not surrender a run and struck out five batters. 

In the top of the 8th, 3B Pavin Parks tapped a home run over the right field short porch to break up the shutout. It marks the 14th home run of the season for Parks who now sits tied for fifth in the Frontier League. 

The Grapes picked up two scoreless innings of position player pitching from Jacob Tobias and Samuel Benjamin. One of the bright spots for the Crushers was Benjamin becoming the first position player to punch out an opposing batter this season, and he also made a fantastic defensive play on the mound.

The Crushers move on to New Jersey to face the Jackals for a three game series starting July 28th at 10:35 am ET. Lake Erie will finish their time away from Avon with a series at Sussex County. Catch every game of the road trip live on HomeTeam Network. Fun promotional nights are on tap when the Crushers come home, like Copa De La Diversion on August 7th, Star Wars Night on August 8th, and so many more! 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.