by Story Submitted By Tony Carter
Gateway Grizzlies’ Carson LaRue pitched 6 innings on Tuesday at Mercy Health Stadium in Avon, Ohio. In his fourth start of the young season, Larue finished with a season-high 10 strikeouts, giving up 6 hits along with only 1 earned run.
The Grizzlies struck first in the top of the second, as third baseman DJ Stewart hit a single up the middle, driving in left fielder Andrew Penner. Penner advanced into scoring position when Crusher light tower southpaw Kyle Seebach committed a throwing error on an attempted pickoff.
The Gateway offense continued to build a lead in the top half of the 4th inning. After allowing 2 Grizzly runners to reach base via the walk, lefty catcher Willie Estrada roped a ball into left center field. It was a huge 2 RBI double, extending the lead to 3 runs. Estrada would later score a few batters later.
Lake Erie faced offensive woes throughout today’s division matchup. Third baseman Brendon Dadson delivered a two-out knock through the left side, to give the Crushers their first run of the ball game. The only run that the Gateway Grizzlies let up all game, as their pitching got outs when it mattered the most.
The Grizzlies added more insurance runs in the top of the 8th inning. Estrada added another double to his highly impressive day at the plate, ripping a shot over Dadson’s glove, reaching the left field wall. Estrada would then score on a wild pitch later in that inning, bringing the Gateway total to 8 runs.
Seebach had a tough time finding the strike zone today, accumulating a whopping 97 pitches over 5 complete innings of work. From the 97 pitches he threw on the bump, 48 were balls. Seebach falls to 0-2 on the year, letting up 4 hits, 3 earned runs, 5 base-on-balls, and 3 strikeouts. After today’s outing, Seebach’s ERA falls to a considerable 4.19.
Bullpen arms Brayden Bonner, Thomas Bruss, and Darrien Ragins did the best they could to stop the bleeding. In two-thirds innings of work, Bruss got himself into a jam, giving up 3 hits and 1 walk, and letting 2 runs score in the process. Ragins tallied 2 punch-outs in one and two-thirds innings.
On the offensive end, left fielder Jiandido Tromp went 2-for-5 with 2 singles. First baseman Sicnarf Loopstok added two hits of his own. Catcher John Tuccillo struggled from the box, racking up a hat-trick in strikeouts. 2 of his 3 K’s occurred with runners in scoring position. He will look to bounce back in tomorrow’s game.
The Gateway offense was highlighted by Estrada’s explosion. He had his day, going 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and an astounding 4 RBI’s. Penner went 2-for-3 from the plate, also collecting 2 walks. Stewart also added 2 hits, and RBI, and a walk.
LaRue curated a dominant day on the mound. Earning his second win on the year, bringing his season ERA to 4.57. The Grizzly bullpen picked up where LaRue left off, shutting the door in the final innings. Alec Whaley, Zac Treece, and Nate Garkow each pitched 1 inning, leaving a goose egg on the board.
The Crushers fall to 8-8 on the season with two more chances to take the three-game set against Gateway. They also look to put an end to Gateway’s 6 game win streak. First pitch for Wednesday’s game is slated to be at 1:05 EST.
