After a well-earned bye week on June 29th, the Crushers returned to action on July 6th, refreshed and ready to take on the Austin Aces at the historic Downs Field. The break seemed to do wonders for the Crushers, who came out firing on all cylinders, determined to extend their undefeated streak.

The Crushers wasted no time asserting themselves, jumping to an early lead in the first inning. Jake “The Hammer” Harris continued his hot streak, driving in the game’s first run with a double to deep left-center. Ben “The Bullet” Johnson followed with a single that brought Harris home, giving the Crushers a 2-0 lead right out of the gate.

On the mound, Tommy “Tornado” Wilson looked rejuvenated after the break, delivering one of his best performances of the season. Wilson was nearly untouchable, keeping the Aces off the scoreboard through the first five innings. His fastball had extra zip, and his curveball kept the Aces’ hitters guessing, resulting in seven strikeouts and only two hits allowed.

The Crushers added to their lead in the fourth inning when Ryan “Rocket” Garcia drove in two more runs with a line drive to right field, making it 4-0. The Aces tried to mount a comeback in the sixth inning, managing to score two runs on a couple of well-placed hits and an error, but Wilson shut down the rally, leaving two runners stranded.

The game’s defining moment came in the bottom of the seventh inning when the Aces had runners on first and third with just one out, threatening to close the gap. Coach Mike Henderson made a strategic move, bringing in closer Sam “Slider” Martinez to preserve the lead. Martinez, as reliable as ever, struck out the next batter and induced a groundout to end the inning, quashing the Aces’ hopes.

In the top of the eighth, the Crushers padded their lead with an RBI single from Alex “Ace” Hernandez, making it 5-2. Martinez then took the mound for the final inning, calmly retiring the side in order to secure the victory.

The 5-2 win over the Austin Aces was a testament to the Crushers’ depth and resilience, showing that even after a week off, they could maintain their focus and intensity. With this win, the Crushers improved their record to 4-0, continuing their perfect start to the season.

“The bye week was good for us,” said coach Henderson. “The guys came back hungry, and it showed today. We played a complete game, from pitching to defense to hitting, and that’s what it takes to win consistently.”

As they move forward, the Crushers are riding high on their unbeaten streak, with their sights set on the challenges ahead. Next up, they’ll face off against the Fort Worth Flyers, a team known for their scrappy play and never-say-die attitude.