Watkins Collects 300th Crushers Hit, Jobert Homers in Debut as Crushers Fall to Florence

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Watkins Collects 300th Crushers Hit, Jobert Homers in Debut as Crushers Fall to Florence

Avon, OH - August 19, 2026 - The Lake Erie Crushers (33-51) were pounced on late on Wednesday night against the Florence Y’alls (50-35). While it was a one-run game most of the way, the lethal Y’alls lineup opened up to score 11 runs in the late innings.

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Lake Erie took an early lead on a big milestone hit from SS Jarrod Watkins. He smacked an opposite-field RBI single in the 2nd, which was his 300th Crushers hit - a big milestone to highlight the fantastic years of service he has had with the Crushers organization over the last five seasons.

The Crushers’ lead didn’t last long as Florence plated three runs, all with two outs against starter LHP Cobe Reeves. Florence took a 3-1 lead, but Reeves settled in to retire 10 of the next 11 batters and finished with a quality start. Reeves’ final line: 6 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K on 81 pitches.

New addition 1B Brayden Jobert, who was acquired at the Sunday trade deadline from Tri-City, laced a ballistic missile in his second at-bat for a solo home run in the 4th. Jobert finished his Crushers debut 2-for-4 with the home run and two runs scored. 

Entering the 7th inning trailing 3-2, the Y’alls offense went to work for the first time all season against Lake Erie. They plated seven runs and brought 11 men to the plate to sweep the legs of the Crushers.

In the final two innings, Florence plated four more runs total, and they walked away with a 14-2 victory as the Lake Erie lineup couldn’t plate an elusive run.

CJ Blowers got the win in relief. Cobe Reeves got a tough luck loss despite pitching very well.

Tomorrow, August 20th is the final Thirsty Thursday of the season! Come enjoy $2.50 draft beers all night long presented by Market Garden Brewery. Tickets are available at LECrushers.com.

Crushers 2027 season tickets are now on sale! For information on 2027 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.