RiverHawks end skid, win 8-1 over Lake Erie

05/26/2012 8:39 PM - LOVES PARK, Ill. – The Rockford RiverHawks pounded out 11 hits, including their first four home runs of the season, to pick up a 8-1 victory over the Lake Erie Crushers on Saturday evening at RiverHawks Stadium and end their losing streak at five games. Rockford got on the board in the second inning as right fielder Javier Herrera hit a two-out, two-run home run through the wind to left field to put the RiverHawks up 2-0. The RiverHawks would add another run in the third inning on an RBI double by Daniel Gonzalez off of opposing starter Sam Strickland (0-1), who was making his Crushers’ season debut. RiverHawks’ starting pitcher Nick Sarianides (1-1) earned the win on the mound, pitching six innings, giving up six hits while walking three and striking out seven batters. He worked his way out of trouble in the first inning by getting Crushers’ designated hitter Russell Moldenhauer to ground into a double play to end the inning. In the fourth inning, Sarianides escaped a bases loaded two-out jam by striking out Crushers’ right fielder Robby Kuzdale. The RiverHawks tacked on a run in the fifth inning when third baseman Matt Greener led off the inning with a home run to left field off Strickland. The RiverHawks then added four runs in the sixth inning as Jet Butler led off the bottom of the inning with a solo shot to left field off of Crushers’ reliever Joshua Rickards. Later in the inning, Greener hit his second homer of the game, a three-run blast to left field off Rickards to put the RiverHawks on top 8-0. Greener finished the night 2-for-4 with two homers and four RBI. Herrera was 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. The Crushers would score a run on a fielder’s choice by shortstop Brandon Decker in the eighth inning off of RiverHawks’ reliever Joey Gradney, but relievers Rob Currie and Mike Lee would combine for 2 1/3 innings of no-hit ball to preserve the victory for the RiverHawks. The RiverHawks play host to the Crushers on Sunday afternoon, with a 3:05 p.m. first pitch set at RiverHawks Stadium. The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league in its 20th season. Games are broadcast on NTA-FM (100.5) Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.