By COLIN WILSON
cwilson@MorningJournal.com
AVON — The Crushers have help behind the plate.
Kylee Hash, who made his first start for the Crushers behind the plate Saturday, has joined the team to provide catching depth. Hash, 21, came to Lake Erie from Laredo of the United League.
The Henderson, Nev. native began his career in the Chicago White Sox organization, playing two years with the team’s rookie-level Bristol Sox. His best season came in 2006 when he hit .273.
Hash fills the void left by injured catcher Nick Maragas, who has been placed on injured reserve with a left wrist sprain. He and Brian Griffiths, who recently suffered a slight injury to the wrist of his throwing hand after being hit by a foul ball, as the backstops on the active roster.
"I’m still getting comfortable, it’s a bunch of good guys and I like the coaches," Hash said. "It’s like being back in the affiliates almost."
Hash went 1-for-4 on Saturday with a single and a run scored. One adjustment Hash will have to make is to the weather on the shores of Lake Erie compared to the hot South Texas climate.
"The weather is nice here," Hash said. "I liked the heat a little bit down there because you could stay loose. It’s a little cooler here."
Crushers manager John Massarelli said he wants to give Maragas time to fully heal and is eager to have a young player who has affiliate experience.
Hash is happy to come in and contribute.
"Hopefully I can just do whatever I can to help this team win and make some plays to make this team better."
After three games with the team, Hash has liked what he’s seen from the pitchers he’s seen.
"From the looks of it, it seems like we have the hardest-throwing guys. It looks like we have a good starting rotation and a good bullpen."
Arms dealing
Kevin Skogley left Saturday’s game with an undetermined arm injury, and the Crushers will not know the extent of the injury until today when he sees a doctor.
Whether or not Skogley has to miss any time, a move will likely be made because the Crushers have already been working with a four-man rotation.
"We’re probably going to have to get another starting pitcher aboard here soon," Massarelli said. "If for no other reason besides depth or if one of our guys would get picked up for affiliate ball."
The team has at least one player in mind, but couldn’t release a name Sunday because he hadn’t been signed.
Josh Faiola, who was converted to a reliever after struggling as a starter to begin the year, will stay in the bullpen, Massarelli said.
Since the move, Faiola has made four appearances and has yet to surrender a run in four innings pitched.
"He looks like a different guy," the Crushers’ first-year manager said. "He’s more comfortable. I think I’m going to keep him there."
Opposing hitters have reached base just twice in his bullpen appearances.
Star treatment
After Sunday’s game, five Crushers players and seven Rascals players jumped on a bus to Loves Park, Ill. for the Frontier League All-Star Game.
Pitcher Paul Fagan, third baseman Andrew Davis, designated hitter Gordon Gronkowski and outfielders Luke Hetherington and Tim Binkoski will represent Lake Erie for the East Division.
The Rascals will be represented on the West Division team by outfielders Chris Colton and Chad Maddox, third baseman Ryan Wehrle, shortstop Jorge Gutierrez and pitchers Jason Lowey, Josh Lowey and Jake Laber.
As his team begins the four-day break with a record of 25-22, Massarelli wasn’t satisfied with the season his team has had so far.
"I’m not going to set bars for the minimum," he said. "I’m going to set the bar where we’re trying to go. Nobody remembers the [first] half of last year."
One thing Massarelli wants to see in the second half is more consistent pitching to compliment his lineup.
"I think the hitting is going. We scored four runs [Saturday]. That’s right on the cusp of where you want to be," Massarelli said. "If you score five runs [every game] you should win every game."
The All-Star Game will be played on Wednesday at Road Ranger Stadium in Loves Park, Ill. at 7:05 p.m. It will be televised live on ComCast Sports Net.