Crushers have new outlook to go with new manager

AVON — It's a new day for the Lake Erie Crushers. A new scoreboard, a new manager, new rules and a lot of optimism should make things extremely interesting this summer at Mercy Health Stadium. "It's always what I've wanted to do," said Jared Lemieux, the Director of Baseball Operations and Field Manager. "I'm thankful to Tom (co-owner Tom Kramig) for giving me this opportunity." Lemieux, who replaces Cam Roth, spent the last two years as the hitting coach with the New Jersey Jackals. He's been in professional baseball since 2006. A native of Maine and a graduate of Springfield College in Massachusetts, he played center field at Bowdoin College in Maine. "I was known for my defense, my speed," said Lemieux, a left-hander. "Professional at-bats, I wasn't a big bopper (hitting). I was a lead-off hitter and still hold the hits record at my college. "I love baseball. I love the game. I knew after my playing days were over, coaching is what I wanted to do. I finally made it to this position, which I've been striving for a long time." Workers are completing work on the new videoboard and scoreboard in right-center field. There will be a pitch clock following the same time frame as Major League Baseball. Everything should be in operation by the season opener Friday, May 12, against the Quebec Capitales at 7:05 p.m. A year ago, the Crushers finished 49-47, barely missing the playoffs. At one point late in the season, they won 14 of 17 games. Lemieux is hoping to keep that momentum going entering this season. "I want to hit the ground running," Lemieux said. "I think we have a good group. I brought some guys over from my team in Jersey and added some really good players. There's no looking back, in my opinion. We were 49-47 last year and I think we can improve off of that." One of those players coming over from the Jackals is outfielder Todd Isaacs, a native of the Bahamas. Isaacs hit 20 home runs and drove in 66 runs over the past two seasons with New Jersey. He was originally drafted by the Cleveland Guardians (then Indians) and spent parts of four seasons in the farm system, including stints with Mahoning Valley and Lake County. "I followed my coach over here," Isaacs said. "He called me. I don't know if I was the first person to get the news he was coming over here but I was one of the first guys he called and asked if I'd be interested in coming over here and I said let's do it. "(Lemieux) cares for his players. He cares about the game tremendously. He's just an all-around good person. He has good energy. He has energy that makes you want to run through a wall for him." Isaacs, who will see action in both left field and center field, brings a lot of energy with him and should quickly become a fan favorite of the Crushers. He's proud of being from the Bahamas and said he's one of only a handful of players to be drafted by a big league team from the island. Jack Harris, from Santa Cruz, California, returns after sitting out most of last season with a knee injury. Tedious rehabbing has him back to 100 percent and he's expected to play right field for the Crushers and bring a potent bat to the lineup. "I played here for about 15 games last season before a pulled-quad injury," Harris said. "Went home to get it right. I'm ready for it. For me, this is the longest stint out of the baseball field from the beginning of June until now." Harris had five home runs and drove in 16 in just 13 games for the Crushers a year ago. The Crushers also return Trever Kuncl, a key right-hand set-up pitcher. Last year, Kuncl made 28 appearances out of the bullpen, allowing just 30 hits in 38 innings. "For me, that's all I know as a pitcher," Kuncl said of his role. "I went to college (George Washington) as an infielder but I didn't do very well hitting the ball so they made me a pitcher and kind of threw me in the bullpen. Trial by fire and I found out I was decent at it. You've got to be comfortable being uncomfortable." Contact Tim Gebhardt at (440) 329-7135 or timothygeb@msn.com. Camp Roster Catchers: Michael Blanke (Gateway), Sicnarg Loopstok (Curacao), Johnny Tuccillo (Bryant University), Zak Whalin (New Jersey). Infielders: Brendon Dadson (Ottawa), Sam Frontino (Elon University), Kenen Irizarry (Lake Erie), Sean Lawlor (University of Maine), Todd Mattox (Francis Marion University), Joshua Rego (Westmont College), Kemuel Thomas-Rivero (Lake Erie). Outfielders: Vincent Byrd (Princeton Rays), Sean Cheely (Lake Erie), Travious Ford (Wilson Tobs), Ellison Hanna II (Cape Catfish), Jack Harris (Lake Erie), Todd Isaacs, Jr. (New Jersey), Jiandido Tromp (Leones de León) Pitchers: Angelo Baez (Charleston Dirty Birds), Perry Bewley (Ashland University), Brayden Bonner (Evansville), Thomas Bruss (Augustana University), Elliot Carney (Lake Erie), Sam Curtis (Lake Erie), Joan Gregorio (New Jersey), JD Hammer (Philadelphia Phillies), Nathan Holt (Mercyhurst University), Trevor Kuncl (Lake Erie), Nick Marcon (New Jersey), Matt Mulhearn (Lake Erie), Alexis Rivero (Lake Erie), Yasel Santana (New Jersey), Kyle Seebach (Northern Illinois University), Gabriel Tapia (ACL Angels), Carsie Walker (Clarke University).