SAL1 Hickory Crawdads

Crawdads Lose to Greenville

Published on April 13, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release


On a rainy night in upstate South Carolina, the Greenville Drive rewarded the fans who braved the wet conditions with a come from behind victory on opening night at Fluor Field at West End in downtown Greenville, SC. The Drive scored one run in the 8th inning followed by two runs in the 9th to secure the victory.

With Hickory leading 4-2 with two outs in the bottom of the 8th inning adn the bases empty, Crawdads pitcher Mark Hamburger surrendered a double to Greenville CF Peter Hissey. David Mailman walked, before Ryan Dent hit a ground rule double to plate Hissey. However, the Crawdads caught a break on the ground rule double as Mailman, who would have scored easily on the play, was returned to third base. Matt Nevarez replaced Hamburger on the mound and retired Oscar Tejeda to end the threat.

However, in the ninth inning, Nevarez ran into control problems that ultimately led to the Crawdads' undoing in the decisive inning. Nevarez led off the inning by walking Anthony Rizzo. With the next batter, Tim Federowicz at the plate, Nevarez uncorked a wild pitch to advance pinch runner Jonathan Hee to second base. Nevarez then struck out Federowicz. Nevarez loaded the bases by hitting Zach Gentile with a pitch and walking Mitch Dening. Ryan Lavarnway ended the game with a double over the head of RF Mike Bianucci, scoring Hee and Gentile to end the game.

Hickory took a 2-0 lead in the second inning off Drive starter Yeiper Castillo. Castillo issued a lead off walk to Jared Bolden, who advanced to third on a balk and a wild pitch by Castillo. One out later, Bolden scored ona single to center by 1B Clark Murphy. Murphy later scored on a double to the wall in center by 2B Jake Kaase.

Greenville got even in their half of the second with the help of the Hickory defense. Dening led off the inning with a single to left and stole second. Lavarnay advanced Dening to third with a ground ball to Kaase at second. However, Lavarnay reached first as Murphy dropped the throw at first base from Kaase for an error, and allowed Dening to score from third.

The next batter, David Mailman, hit a ground ball to Kaase, who bobbled the ball, and then in his haste to record an out at second, flipped the ball past SS Edward Martinez into left field, allowing Lavarnay to advance to third base. Lavarnay scored on an ensuing sacrifice fly by Ryan Dent.

Hickory retook the lead in the fourth with the help of aggressive base running. Matt West led off the inning with a walk. Murphy then looped a fly ball single to right. On the hit, Crawdads' manager Hector Ortiz waved Murphy around to third, where he slid just under the tag at third. The aggresive play paid off as Doug Hogan's ground ball double play to short allowed West to score the go-ahead run.

Hickory took a 4-2 lead in the seventh courtesy of Edward Martinez. Martinez reached on a bunt single, then stole second. After the steal, Greenville appeared to have Martinez picked off at second base; however, the throw from catcher Lavarnay was dropped by the middle infeider covering. The mistake proved costly as Martinez advanced to third on a ground out, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Eric Fry.

Richard Bleier continued the recent stretch of strong starting pitching for the Crawdads. On the night, Bleier allowed two runs, one unearned, on four walks and three strikeouts.

Mitchell Herold (1-0) picked up the win for Greenville (3-2) as he pitched an umblimished 8th and 9th inning, striking out 4. Nevarez (0-1) took the loss for Hickory (3-2).

Clark Murphy went 2 for 4 with a run scored to lead the Crawdads at the plate.

The same two teams return to action in Greenville on Tuesday. Wilfredo Boscan (0-1, 1.93) will make the start for Hickory. The game is available at 92.1 FM WMNC, or at www.hickorycrawdads.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 13, 2009


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