The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Lenahan develops his power
Third baseman in first season with Crushers
First impressions are always crucial in any setting — whether it’s going on a date or for a job interview.
Lake Erie Crushers third baseman Cody Lenahan is in his first season with the ball club, but has already made his presence felt with seven home runs, tied for the team high with second baseman Jordan Dean, along with 19 RBI.
Lenahan has never lived in Ohio before, so the transition has gone just about as well as he would like.
“It’s comfortable and it’s been good weather,” Lenahan said. “I enjoy it so far.”
Of course, the weather doesn’t compare to what Lenahan is used to, coming from San Marcos, Calif. As a West Coast kid, Lenahan has bounced around over the last few years playing minor league baseball.
In 2015, he played 15 games for the Rockford Aviators in Illinois before breaking his thumb, then had a breakthrough 2016 with the Texas Airhogs, blasting 12 home runs along with 49 RBI and a .264 average.
“I was actually here last year for spring training before I ended up with Texas for a coach I
“When I try to hit a home run, it usually doesn’t happen.”
— Cody Lenahan
previously played with,” Lenahan said. “That season went really well and that’s where I started developing my power numbers. I’m trying to build off of that and it’s encouraging to see the home runs.”
Lenahan usually isn’t looking for the long ball.
“When I try to hit a home run, it usually doesn’t happen,” he said. “I moreso try to hit line drives. My approach is always trying to stay to the left center gap and right center gap. The ones that go out are the ones I get under and hit them perfect.
“Home runs-wise, I’m obviously happy. Averagewise is something I’m looking to improve and it just comes with having good atbats and with battling. I’ve been missing fastballs and that’s something I need to take advantage of.”
The University of Portland graduate experienced quite a bit of success during his college seasons, including earning West Coast Conference All-Academic Honorable Mention in his senior season and started 50 games.
But Lenahan is a better player now than he ever was. Baseball runs in the 24-year-old’s family. He started when he was 5 years old and his father, Chris, was a “baseball guy.”
He coached Lenahan throughout his youth baseball years and then put him through travel ball when was 12.
“He was the guy that taught me most things,” Lenahan said. “Every offseason I’ll go home and go out to the field and he’ll hit me ground balls. It’s just great to have him around.”
Despite the challenges of having to bounce around from city to city, Lenahan understands the fortunate position that he’s in. He gets to play baseball for a living.
That trumps just about anything else for him.
“It’s awesome and it’s what you want to do growing up,” he said. “I can be in an office right now working a normal job, which there’s no problem with that, and eventually we will all get there. But for now, I’m blessed to have the opportunity to do this and we’re paid to play a game that I love. What’s awesome, too, is the challenge of moving up and getting better and
better. It keeps you driven.”
Crushers win
On June 23 at Sprenger Stadium, the Crushers edged Traverse City, 4-3, to improve to 15-22 overall. Starter Jordan Kurokawa pitched seven innings, giving up two earned on five hits with four strikeouts. He faced more than four batters in an inning only once.
“I like pitching to contact in this league,” Kurokawa said. “I groove the corners and see what the hitters can do. I like to work off my fastball, which is my dominant pitch. My changeup was all right today, curveball was good and my slider was working. It was a good night.”
The Crushers had nine hits to the Beach Bums’ seven.
Lake Erie gained a 2-1 lead in the third on a solo home run by catcher Tanner Lubach, who finished 3-for-4, followed by a hit by pitch RBI from Brandon Murray. In the fifth, the Beach Bums’ (16-20) Ricardo Ramirez tied it with a solo home run, but the Crushers regained the lead in the bottom half on Sean Hurley’s two-run shot.
“I’ve been working a lot with the hitting coach and staying in the middle of the field, not to do too much,” Hurley said about his homer. “We’re really trying to lock it in and try to win as many games as we can.”
Traverse City tacked on a run in the eighth. Crushers closer Chandler Jagodzinski got his 10th save.