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Second-Half Surge Has Lake Erie Crushers Eying Playoffs

Crushers clinging to second place in Frontier League's Eastern Division with less than two weeks left in season

The haven't clinched a playoff berth yet, but their postseason chances are a lot better than a month ago.

A 10-game winning streak has vaulted the Crushers into second place in the East Division of the Frontier League in the final two weeks of the regular season.

Manager John Massarelli likes the way the team has come together in the second half after a very disappointing start. The Crushers opened the season with a 7-17 start, but has gone 36-23 since. That includes two home losses to the Windy City Thunderbolts this weekend that dropped them 6 1/2 games out of first place, but still in playoff contention.

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"It has been great to see the team concept here, the way things have come together," Massarelli said. "We had a rough start, it was disappointing, but guys didn’t give in and were willing to work."

Massarelli had high expectations entering the season after revamping the roster in an effort to bring another championship to Avon. In 2009, he guided the Crushers to a 57-38 regular-season record. Lake Erie continued to play well in the playoffs and won the championship. The Crushers went 50-46 a year ago.

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Remain Calm, All is Well

Despite this year's poor start, Massarelli maintained confidence that the Crushers, with a few tweaks here and there, had the talent to win. He refused to panic.

"I’m not a big believer in wholesale changes," he said. "I like to evaluate guys on their work ethic and ability and then work to win as a team. We made some changes, which is always natural, but we’ve slowly gained team chemistry."

Getting left-hander Paul Fagan from Windy City in May, then outfielder Jereme Milons and right-hander Thomas Campbell from the Southern Illinois Miners in mid-July, helped.

"We added Jereme Milons at midseason and he’s made a big difference. He’s the oldest player on the team, but has fit in well. Everybody wants to do well personally, but the best way to do that is to play well as a team. Then everybody helps everybody else succeed."

The 28-year-old Milons has played well in center field. He hit safely in 12 of 14 games after the trade. Campbell is 3-0 in seven starts this year.

In addition, Massarelli has built a strong bullpen. Relievers Chris Allen, Paul Daniels, Ruben Flores and Kelyn Schellenberg are a combined 12-8 with 22 saves and a sparkling 2.33 ERA.

Strong work by the starting rotation has kept the bullpen fresh.

"Pitching has been the difference," Massarelli said. "When you get quality starts, you have a chance to win. You don’t get good starting pitching, you are battling uphill all the way. When we went on our run, we got quality starts."

The Crushers have received clutch hitting in the second half from catcher Brian Erie, batting .379 with 13 RBI in 17 games after being signed when Joel Collins (.311) went out with a knee injury. Infielders Andrew Davis (.336, 11 homers, 75 RBI) and Jason Taylor (.290, 5 homers, 39 RBI) have led the offense.

"Jason Taylor had a rough start, but he’s been carrying us of late," Massarelli said. "It takes time for players to adjust. I think some players come here because we have the reputation as a winning organization. That’s great, but you can’t expect a player to just come in right away. (Shortstop) Jodam Rivera started slowly. We were happy to get him, believed in him, but it took some adjusting. It’s paying off now."

Rolling With the Punches

Massarelli said the Crushers have learned how to stay on an even keel, not get despondent after a loss, nor cocky after a win.

"You win on a walkoff, that’s great," he said. "You lose on a walkoff , you’re down. But next day, it is over with – new day, forget about what went on, it doesn’t make any difference. You have to move on. That’s part of learning how to deal with the game of baseball.

"This is not a forgiving game. It is not as easy as it looks."

Massarelli knew all that when the Crushers were well under .500. He had been in worse situations as a manager.

"I relate this team to the team I had in 2006 in Washington," he said. "We were 20-22 at the break, eight games out of first. But we stuck with it that season, kept working and things started to come together. We went on a roll, won something like 12 in a row and went on to the playoffs."

Whether or not the Crushers keep winning and gain a playoff spot, Massarelli said this season has been rewarding because of the way the team has responded to adversity.

"That’s the part of managing that I enjoy the most, getting players to believe in one another, to learn to win as a team," he said. "It just doesn’t happen. When it does, that's when the game is most enjoyable."

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