Crushers Drop Rubbermatch with Grizzlies

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Zane Bloom, zbloom@lecrushers.com

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Crushers Drop Rubbermatch with Grizzlies

Avon, OH - July 19, 2026 - The Lake Erie Crushers (26-34) succumbed to a middle inning onslaught from the Gateway Grizzlies (28-31), falling 12-4 in the series finale ahead of their 12-game road trip.

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Gateway plated an early run against RHP Gauge Lockhart on an RBI single with two outs in the top of the 1st from SS Sawyer Smith. Lockhart had to battle and grind through the next few innings, and while he surrendered another run in the 4th, he kept the game close despite an inflated pitch count.

Down 2-0, the Crushers got things going offensively in the bottom of the 4th. A two-run single from recent newcomer 3B Chayton Krauss tied the game at two, then Krauss scored on an RBI fielder’s choice from 2B Luis Acevedo to give the Crushers a 3-2 lead.

The lead wouldn’t last long, though, as the Grizzlies batted around and scored five runs against LHP Brandon Scott on four hits and two walks. They flipped the script back in their favor and reclaimed the lead, 7-3.

In the 7th, Gateway put the game out of reach with a three-run inning, and while the Crushers got a run in the bottom half with an RBI single from DH Pavin Parks, the Grizzlies onslaught proved too much for the Crushers. The final score was 12-4 Gateway in the final game of the first series after the All-Star Break.

Alec Sparks got the win in relief. Brandon Scott was tagged with the loss in relief.

The Crushers will hit the road for the longest road trip of the season, a 12-game roadie that includes Washington, beginning on Tuesday, July 21st, then Gateway, New Jersey, and Sussex County. The Crushers return home August 4th. Tickets are still 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.