Sussex County extends winning streak to four
The Sussex County Miners (25-24) have gone over .500 after defeating the Lake Erie Crushers (22-31) 3-1 behind a strong starting pitching performance by Tristian Harley (1-0) at ForeFront Field in Avon, Ohio. Sussex County looks to sweep the series tomorrow against their Midwest Central Division opponents.
Much like yesterday’s game one, the Miners quickly got on the scoreboard. After loading the bases early against Lake Erie’s starter Fraynel Nova (1-7), shortstop Evan Berkey‘s sacrifice fly to right field brought designated hitter Hunter D’Amato home, giving Sussex County a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, center fielder Edwin Mateo, yesterday’s offensive hero, delivered again. His line-drive RBI single to center field doubled the score.
Harley continued where Rob Hensey left off last night. Despite getting himself into early trouble and giving up an RBI single to second baseman Luis Acevedo that cut the lead to 2-1, Harley worked his way out of a second-inning jam and cruised the rest of the way.
Fans were treated to a pitching duel, with the score remaining 2-1 through seven innings. But with bases loaded in the top of the eighth, left fielder Gabriel Maciel added another insurance run for the Miners with a line-drive RBI to right field.
Sussex County’s bullpen trio of Jacob Widener, John Perozzi, and Parker Primeaux closed the door on Lake Erie, holding the Crushers to just one hit over the final three frames for a 3-1 victory.
Harley allowed one run on five hits and struck out five over six innings. He earned his first professional win while Nova took the loss. Parker notched his sixth save of the season. Maciel went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.
With the win, the Miners have fought back from a sloppy late-May to early-June stretch and have gotten over .500 for the first time since May 15—a considerable achievement for a very talented Miners roster that seems to have finally found its footing.
Sussex County completes the three-game road series with the Crushers tomorrow night before traveling to Evansville, Indiana, to take on the Otters. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Fans can watch all Miners games live on HomeTeam Network or listen to the Miners Radio Network live on Mixlr.
Written by Justin Haight with Dennis Mark
Above: Gabriel Maciel (photo by Phil Hoops).