Crushers: Jack Eisenbarger makes history, blanks Aigles with franchise's first no-hitter

AVON — Jack Eisenbarger etched his name into Lake Erie history Saturday night. The Crushers ace left-hander threw a no-hitter and got more than enough run support in an 8-0 win over Trois-Rivieres at Crushers Stadium. According to the Frontier League website, it's the league's 35th no-hitter dating back to 1997, which includes seven combined no-hitters — and the first in Lake Erie history. "I tried not to let it consume me or think about it too much," Eisenbarger said. "I just had to keep pitching tonight. Just attack the zone and try to get that change-up in there, too." The Crushers (17-9) have been on a roll, winning four straight games and eight of their last 11, while also securing their fourth straight series win. They go for the sweep and conclude their brief homestand against the Aigles (12-13) today at 2:05 p.m. The Crushers, who have yet to be swept this season, have combined to pitch 19 straight shutout innings. Eisenbarger has his own three-game winning streak after going winless in his first three starts — though he pitched well in all but one of them. He's allowed just two runs in his last three starts, spanning 20 innings, and entered Saturday with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He has 34 strikeouts in 36 innings and improved to 3-2 on the season while throwing his first no-hitter as a pro. In college, he also threw the first no-hitter in Rockhurst University history March 1, 2019. "It's unreal man, it's crazy," Eisenbarger said. "There were some really strong defensive plays behind me today so I couldn't have done this without them. I just try to go out there and do my best when I start and bring some good energy in the dugout with the others." Lake Erie got on the board early on a pair of two-out hits in the first inning. Scout Knotts roped a double to left and Alfredo Gonzalez drove him in with a single into right, advancing to second on the throw. The Crushers had no way of knowing it wouldn't need to score more than one run, so Knotts and Gonzalez combined to drive in four more in the third. Jarrod Watkins and Alex Epp reached on a single and double, then Knotts drove both of them in with a double that got past a diving Steve Brown in right that made it to the wall. Gonzalez then drove Knotts in with a home run to center. Knotts and Gonzalez, who caught the no-hitter, finished with three RBIs each. "I felt good at the beginning of the at-bat," Gonzalez said through an interpreter. "I was just trying to make good contact. I did it and then realized it was gone. If we start scoring runs in the beginning, then it's going be like this every single game." Lake Erie added a couple of insurance runs. Jack Harris crushed a two-run home run that scored Gonzalez in the fifth and Knotts picked up his third RBI on a sacrifice fly in the sixth. But with Eisenbarger dealing, the Crushers didn't need them. He finished with seven strikeouts and only allowed four baserunners — all walks. The only hint of trouble he faced came in the fourth inning when a pair of walks gave the Aigles their first, and only, runner in scoring position. Brandon Hernandez moved to third on Luis Curbelo's fly out and almost scored on an error when second baseman Ethan Skender bobbled a grounder, but he recovered in time to keep the shutout intact. Eisenbarger retired 17 of the final 18 batters. "In getting the job done I've got a lot of confidence in Jack, but you never expect a thing like a no-hitter," Lake Erie manager Jared Lemieux said. "I'm really proud of him. He's put in a lot of work this year and he deserves it." Contact Chris Sweeney at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. Follow him @CSweeney1686 on X.