The River City Rascals finished off a series victory over the Lake Erie Crushers with a 3-2 win in the finale on Sunday night at CarShield Field. James Morisano delivered the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning. Kameron Esthay had four hits on the night for the Rascals, while Nick Anderson added three, including a double.
The Crushers took an early 1-0 lead on a solo shot from Dale Burdick to lead-off the top of the second. The Rascals, however, immediately responded with a two-run single from Esthay in the bottom of the frame. Neither team scored again until the fifth, when Crushers second baseman Aaron Hill scored on a wild pitch to tie the game 2-2.
With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Morisano catapulted a pitch from Evy Ruibal into the back of the left field bleachers to give the Rascals the lead back. Jason Zgardowski retired the side in order in the top of the ninth to seal the win and earn his eighth save of the season.
Rascals starter Alex Winkelman allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision, walking four and striking out four. Taylor Sugg (1-0) earned the win out of the Rascals’ bullpen, his first as a professional, pitching a scoreless eighth inning.
Crushers starter Paul Hall Jr. allowed two runs over six innings with six walks and four strikeouts. Ruibal (1-2) suffered the loss, allowing the winning run.
The Rascals (37-29) kick-off a seven game road-trip tonight in Schaumburg, Ill., with first pitch for the first of a four-game series set for 6:30 p.m. CDT. Taylor Ahearn is expected to take the mound for the Rascals in the series opener.
