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SAL1 Hickory Crawdads

Crawdads Win Three In A Row To Take Opening Series in Hagerstown

April 12, 2010 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release


Hickory, NC - The Hickory Crawdads are 3-1 to start the season and currently share the South Atlantic League Northern Division lead with the Delmarva Shorebirds.

After losing a rain-shortened season-opener in Hagerstown, Maryland on Thursday, 1-0, the Crawdads stormed back to win the next three against the Suns. Hickory flexed their muscle at the plate, outscoring Hagerstown 22-6 in the series.

THIS WEEK (ALL TIMES EASTERN):

Monday, April 12 @ Asheville (7:05 p.m.)

Tuesday, April 13 @ Asheville (7:05 p.m.)

Wednesday, April 14 @ Asheville (7:05 p.m.)

Thursday, April 15 @ Asheville (7:05 p.m.)

Friday, April 16 vs. Kannapolis (7:00 p.m.)

Saturday, April 17 vs. Kannapolis (7:00 p.m.)

Sunday, April 18 vs. Kannapolis (7:00 p.m.)

WEEK IN REVIEW (Home team in CAPS):

Thursday, April 8

HAGERSTOWN 1 vs. Crawdads 0

The Suns pushed a run across in the first on an RBI double by 3B Steven Souza for the lone run of the game. Umpires called the game after five-and-a-half innings of play due to rain.

Friday, April 9

Crawdads 7 vs. HAGERSTOWN 2

The 'Dads scored early and often against Hagerstown, scoring runs in the third, fourth, fifth, and eighth innings en route to a 7-2 victory. 3B Matt West brought in three of the team's seven runs on a home run off Suns starter LHP Josh Smoker.

Saturday, April 10

Crawdads 10 vs. HAGERSTOWN 1

Hickory broke the game open in the seventh, unleashing five hits (four consecutive) and a walk to extend their lead over the Suns from 2-1 to 7-1. C Vinny DiFazio mashed a three-run homer to cap the score at 10-1 and RHP Wilmer Font got the win, recording a league-leading eight strikeouts.

Sunday, April 11

Crawdads 5 vs. HAGERSTOWN 2

With the game tied at two in the bottom of the ninth, Hickory RHP Kyle Ocampo loaded the bases with none out, but was able to induce two strikeouts and a fly-out to get out of the inning unscathed. In the top of the tenth, SS Leury Garcia belted a two-run triple to left-center, which eclipsed the Crawdads 10,000 RBI mark all-time. West followed with an RBI double to bring in Garcia, and the Crawdads carried a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the 10th. RHP Josh Lueke pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season.

PLAYER AND TEAM NOTES:

-The Crawdads passed the 10,000 RBI mark all-time on SS Leury Garcia's two-run triple on Sunday afternoon against Hagerstown

-After dropping the season-opener on Thursday 1-0 in Hagerstown, the 'Dads have won their last three contests. They are currently 3-1 on the road.

-RF Miguel Velazquez is 5-for-8 in the last two games, with two doubles, a run, and an RBI. He currently leads the team in doubles (2), and hits (5).

-In the first four games, all four Hickory starters, Joe Wieland, Robbie Ross, Wilmer Font, and Matt Thompson, have lasted five innings and allowed just one earned run or less.

-3B Matt West, LF Cristian Santana and C Vinny DiFazio are both heading to Asheville with three-game hitting streaks. Over that span, West and Santana are batting .250, while DiFazio is batting .400. DiFazio also has and active 10-game on-base streak, dating back to Sept. 1 of last season.

-LHP Robbie Erlin leads the South Atlantic League in strikeouts-per-nine-innings with 22.50 (5 K/2.0 IP), while RHP Josh Lueke is fourth with 18.00 (4 K/2.0 IP).

-The 'Dads are ranked eighth in the South Atlantic League in team batting average, sitting at .258 through their first four games.

THIRSTY THURSDAY PARTY/CORPORATE CHALLENGE AND HOME OPENER FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA THIS WEEK:

The Crawdads start their first series against the Asheville Tourists tonight at 7:05 p.m. (Eastern). Catch all the action live on The Big Dawg 92.1 FM and Hickorycrawdads.com, starting with Crawdads Countdown 15 minutes prior to the first pitch.

The 'Dads will kick things off a day early at L.P. Frans Stadium with the Thirsty Thursday Party/Corporate Challenge Kick Off on Thursday, April 15. The event will begin at 6 p.m., with a live perfomance by Norva Jean Drams at 7:30 p.m. It will be the first Thirsty Thursday of 2010, featuring $1 beers and Pepsis, trivia, and on-field contests! The event will pit local businesses against each other in competitions such as kickball, tug of war, and sack racing.

The Home Opener and Fireworks Extravaganza takes place the next day on Friday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m. against the Kannapolis Intimidators. Fans will be greeted with a red carpet welcome complete with the entire Front Office staff in tuxedos and gowns compliments of Mister Tuxedo. After the game, fans are invited to stick around for a spectacular fireworks extravaganza courtesy of Crowne Plaza of Hickory and The Big Dawg 92.1 FM.

On Saturday, April 17, the first 1,000 fans will receive a free Crawdads long sleeve t-shirt courtesy of Galaxy Foods Center, Ragu, and KICKS 103.3 FM. Prior to the game, there will also be the Barkley Baseball Clinic from 4:15 - 6:35. All kids ages 6-14 can attend. All participants in the clinic will also receive a free ticket to the game.

Sunday, April 18 will be the first Faith and Family Day with a faith-based service on the field beginning at 3:30 p.m. and first pitch at 5:00 p.m. This week's service is brought to you by Lower Creek Baptist and 106.9 The Light.

The Crawdads close out their first home series with the Intimidators on Monday, April 19. This will be the first Senior Adults 2-for-1 ticket day and Kids Eat Free Monday. Any senior adult 65 years of age or older can get one free ticket with the purchase of a ticket courtesy of ResCare and 63 Big Ways 630 AM. Also, kids 3-12 years old eat for free with the purchase of a ticket.

Tuesday, April 20 marks the start of a four-game series with the Charleston Riverdogs on Dollar Day. Fans can purchase a regularly priced ticket and receive a second for just $1! There will also be $1 food items, including hot dogs, sodas, popcorn, and more.

The first Senior Day of the season is on Wednesday, April 21 at 11:00 a.m. All seniors can get in the gates and eat a meal consisting of a hot dog, chips, and drink for just $5! It is also the 'Dads first Wii Wednesday and Unemployment Night. Every Wednesday home game, fans are can participate in our season-long home run contest. The winner will be announced at the end of the season and get a free Nintendo Wii! Unemployed fans can also get up to four free tickets by showing their NCESC issued debit card or printed online statement.

Fans are invited to come enjoy some beverages for Thirsty Thursday, April 22. All Pepsi products and 12-ounce beers are just $1! It is also Going Green Day, where fans can get a free ticket to the game by brining in a bottle, can, or other recyclable item presented by Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute. As if that weren't enough, the Crawdads will be celebrating the NFL Draft with a draft party. There will be interactive games correlating with the ongoing NFL Draft.

The series with Charleston comes to a conclusion Friday, April 23 with Magnet Schedules being given away to the first 1,000 fans compliments of the North Carolina Education Lottery & 1290 WHKY.

GET TICKETS

Single game tickets for all Crawdads games are on sale now at the Crawdads Ticket Office and online at www.hickorycrawdads.com and start at just $6! Season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available at the Crawdads office, located at 2500 Clement Blvd. NW or by calling (828) 322-3000.

LEAGUE LEADERS:

RHP Wilmer Font - 8 strikeouts (1st)

RF Miguel Velazquez- 1 intentional walk (t-1st)

LHP Robbie Erlin - 22.50 strikeouts per nine innings (1st)

RHP Josh Lueke - 18.00 strikeouts per nine innings (4th)

CRAWDADS LEADERS:

Average- C Zach Zaneski (.500)

Home Runs- 3B Matt West & C Vinny DiFazio (1)

RBI- 3B Matt West (5)

Stolen Bases - SS Leury Garcia (2)

Walks - C Vinny DiFazio (3)

Wins - LHP Robbie Ross, RHP Wilmer Font, RHP Kyle Ocampo (1)

ERA - 9 tied at 0.00

Strikeouts - RHP Wilmer Font (8)

Saves - RHP Josh Lueke (1)

Innings Pitched - RHP Joe Wieland, LHP Robbie Ross, RHP Wilmer Font, RHP Matt Thompson (5.0)

Check out the Hickory Crawdads Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 12, 2010


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