Crushers end losing streak despite one hit
By ZACHARY DZURICK

AVON - Sometimes all it takes is one.
The Crushers have struggled to string together hits in their five game losing streak. Finding a two out hit with men on base has been even more difficult.
In the second inning, Arden McWilliams came through with a two-out, two-RBI double. It was the Crushers only hit of the game but the two runs were all that starter Josh Roberts needed as Lake Erie defeated first place Oakland County 2-1.
Roberts (6-1) continued his outstanding season. He allowed just one unearned run and three hits in going the distance.
Both games of the double-header were scheduled for just seven innings by Frontier League rules.
Roberts was asked how often he won a game when his team managed just one hit.
“I don’t think too many,” Roberts said. “We were lucky enough to put two runs on the board early and the defense came through in the end. We ended the losing streak and started a winning streak.”
There was a 16-minute rain delay in the bottom of the first inning. Roberts said it affected him a bit.
“After the rain delay I had to restart,” Roberts said. “I got stronger throughout the game and started locating my inside fastball a little more and played to my defense.”
Roberts lowered his ERA to 1.96. He missed all of 2008 with Tommy John surgery and spent last season bouncing around the Marlins system. This season Roberts has really pitched well and become the ace of the Crushers staff.
“This is by far my best, healthy season,” Roberts said. “It’s a lot of hard work paying off big time.”
Roberts allowed his only run when he returned after the delay. Oakland County’s Joash Brodin reached on shortstop Jodam Rivera’s error to start the second. Brodin advanced to third on Kyle Maunus’s single to right. Roberts struck out Martin Parra for the first out and Luis Fernandez for the second out but the ball got lost behind catcher Joel Collins. Brodin scampered home for the run. Parra, who was running on the pitch, went to third. The umpire ruled Fernandez out because first base was occupied.
The Crushers took their first lead since Tuesday in the bottom of the second. With one out, Wayde Kitchens (4-2) walked two but responded to strike out Wayne Bond. Arden McWilliams stepped up with a two-out two-RBI double.
“He went down on me 2-0 and I knew he was going to come with a fastball,” McWilliams said. “So I geared up for it and he threw one out over the plate and I got good wood on it.”
McWilliams said the team is about finding any way to win even if it is with just one hit.
“It shows how good our defense and pitching is,” McWilliams said.” Josh Roberts did a great job.”
Roberts has a habit of getting batters to hit the ball right back to him. He did four times against the Cruisers.
“(Roberts) has a lot of sinking action on his fastball and gets a lot of groundballs,” McWilliams said. “We laugh that he leads the league for most comeback plays.”

The Crushers had lost five in a row, all at home and dropped to third place. McWilliams admitted the team was starting to feel the pressure.
“For a little bit there, we were playing tight, trying to do too much,” McWilliams said. “Maz called us in the other day and said, ‘I’ve been putting a lot of pressure on you guys. I just want you to play loose and relax and play Crusher baseball.’”
The Crushers had a chance to score in fourth but could not take advantage. Kitchens walked the first two batters in the inning. Raphael Turner nearly beat out his bunt that moved up both runners. Bond worked a walk to load the bases and Kitchens day was done. He allowed just one hit but walked six. Taylor Wulf came and shut the door by striking out McWilliams and getting Dom Duggan to ground into a force at third.
Notes:
- Jodam Rivera crushed a ball down the right field line in the first inning. Rivera appeared to hit the ball over the foul pole for a home run but the field umpire ruled it foul. If Rivera had hit the pole, not only would it have a home run but also everyone in the park would have won a free chicken sandwich from Chik-Fil-A.
- The Crushers have new grill items created by chef Wilson. They have Philly and Chicken cheese steaks plus a Tuscan Cheese Burger, which is two beef patties, hot ham, white American cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato and Italian dressing. But for many the highlight is the four gourmet hot dogs. A Crusher dog features bacon, chili, cheese and onions. The Big Pig has bacon, pulled pork, BBQ cheese sauce and white American cheese. The Dagwood has ham, pepperoni, salami, cheese, lettuce, mayo and brown mustard. The BLT is exactly what it sounds like. All four feature ¼ all beef dog. All of these mouth-watering products can be found on the third base party deck for just $6.


Crushers 2, Cruisers 1
Oakland County (38-18) 100 000 0 – 1 3 0
Lake Erie (30-26) 020 000 0 – 2 1 1
2b – LE: McWilliams; WP – Roberts (6-1); LP – Kitchens (4-2)