Crushers Fall 7-2 to Thunderbolts

Avon, OH - May 31, 2025 - The Lake Erie Crushers (11-7) dropped the middle game of the series on Saturday night against the Windy City Thunderbolts (4-17) in a 7-2 final.

Both starting pitchers were sharp early on, but Windy City struck first and suddenly in the top of the 3rd with a SS Jalen Greer solo home run into the jet stream, his first of 2025. Greer struck again in the 5th with an RBI single to give the Thunderbolts a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the 5th, 3B Joey Wright poked a two-out RBI single. What’s new? Dude just drives in runs. Then, 2B Davie Morgan added on with a ground RBI single to knot the game 2-2.

In the top of the 6th, RF Dakota Kotowski got those two runs right back with a two-run homer off the batter’s eye to chase RHP Ethan Smith from the game. Smith’s final line: 5+ IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K on 91 pitches. The Thunderbolts reassumed the lead, 4-2.

The Crushers loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the 6th, but Greg Duncan completed the Houdini Act and kept Lake Erie off the board, starting a 1-2-3 double play himself on his 100th pitch of the evening.

RHP Dylan Spain came out of the bullpen and put the Thunderbolts through the grinder. His final line in long relief: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, and 7 Ks.

Unfortunately for Lake Erie, the bats couldn’t muster enough offense to get back in the game. Windy City scored three insurance runs in the 9th on their way to a 7-2 victory.

Greg Duncan (1-1) picked up his first win of the season, and Ethan Smith (1-1) was tagged with the loss.

The series with Windy City concludes tomorrow, June 1 at 1:05pm ET. Jack Eisenbarger will get the nod for Sunday at the Park and our first Bark in the Park this season! Bring the dogs and the kiddos, because kids ages 12 and under eat free on Sundays, run the bases after the game, and snag autographs from all their favorite Crushers players! Get your tickets online at lakeeriecrushers.com/tickets.

Can’t join us at the ballpark? You can stream Crushers games home and away in 2025 on the brand new Frontier League streaming partner, HomeTeam Network or watch live on local television on Rock Entertainment Sports Network (RESN) in the Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati markets!

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Flexible 2025 Crushers ticket memberships are now on sale, giving fans the best experience on their terms and schedule. Plans start at $40 and include a priority selection of games, no ticket service fees, and the option of subscription-based payment plans. Fans can view more information at www.LakeErieCrushers.com.

Whether it’s a birthday celebration, youth sports night, corporate event, or family reunion, group outings with the Crushers offer great fan experiences and benefits, including reserved seating and special perks. Visit www.LakeErieCrushers.com/groups or call (440) 934-3636 for more information.

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About the Lake Erie Crushers

The Lake Erie Crushers are a professional baseball team that plays just 18 miles outside Cleveland at the 5,000 seat Crushers Stadium in Avon, Ohio. They compete in the Frontier League - a prestigious MLB Partner League. Since its founding in 2009, the Crushers have been dedicated to delivering exciting baseball and family-friendly entertainment to fans in Northeast Ohio.