Nova Shoves, Pike Walks Off Mud Monsters in Thriller

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Nova Shoves, Pike Walks Off Mud Monsters in Thriller

Avon, OH - August 4, 2026 - The Lake Erie Crushers (30-43) returned home from their longest road trip of the season and welcomed back fans with an instant classic: a 2-1 walkoff win over the Mississippi Mud Monsters (29-43) at ForeFront Field.

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RHP Fraynel Nova was absolutely fantastic on the mound on Tuesday. He surrendered a leadoff single to start the game, but he got help from C Nick Chavez who caught CF Brayland Skinner stealing third. Nova then retired 13 straight hitters, including 10 strikeouts.

While LHP Tyler Campbell was also dealing, he gave up the first run on a solo home run from 1B Jacob Tobias in the bottom of the 5th.

The 1-0 lead would last until the top of the 7th when the Mud Monsters finally manufactured a run off Nova. Nova, though, was able to finish off the inning with the game still 1-1, and he handed the game to the bullpen.

Nova’s final line: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 10 K, QS.

Both RHP Christian Scafidi and RHP Brandyn Sittinger tossed scoreless innings of relief, and the wicked fast game entered the bottom of the 9th with the score still knotted 1-1.

Campbell came out to start the 9th for the Mud Monsters, but he hit LF Joe Redfield with a pitch to put him on as the winning run. After an unsuccessful sacrifice bunt, 2B Luis Acevedo reached first with one out.

CF Garret Pike came up and smoked a ball into the gap in left center, and Acevedo was on the move. He sped all the way around from first base with Mark Mason giving him the windmill, and he scored to win the game. Pike’s walkoff double snapped the Crushers’ losing streak, and it was the third walkoff of the season for Lake Erie.

The Crushers will turn around for a noon first pitch tomorrow, August 5th for the middle game against Mississippi, looking for a series win. Fun promotional nights are on tap this weekend, 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.