'Hoppers Hang on for 7-3 Win on Thursday Night
Published on May 3, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
GREENSBORO, NC - The Hickory Crawdads struck for a pair of late runs in the top of the ninth, but the Greensboro Grasshoppers hung on for the 7-3 win, before 7,135 fans at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro on Thursday night
After Hickory RHP Luke Jackson (L, 2-2) and Greensboro RHP Austin Brice (W, 2-1) alternated scoreless frames through the first two innings, the Grasshoppers (18-8) broke through in the bottom of the third. C Wilfredo Gimenez led off with a triple and quickly came home on an RBI single from RF Ryan McIntyre. McIntyre moved to second on an errant pick-off attempt and then scored on an RBI double by 2B Austin Barnes. CF Brent Keys bounced a ball to first base, which 1B Jhonny Gomez fielded and flipped to the covering Jackson, but Jackson couldn't bring in the throw cleanly, committing an error that allowed Keys to reach and Barnes to score. After Keys was caught stealing, DH Matt Smith knocked a solo shot for the 4-0 lead.
After Greensboro added a run on a SS Ryan Goetz sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh, the 'Dads (16-10) got on the board in the top of the eighth. With one away, SS Luis Sardinas singled his way on. Sardinas took second on a wild pitch from RHP Jose Urena and advanced to third on a base hit from 2B Rougned Odor. DH Hanser Alberto plated Sardinas with an RBI grounder to short, cutting the deficit to 5-1.
The Grasshoppers stretched the lead back out in the bottom of the eighth. DH Matt Smith started the inning by being hit by a pitch from RHP Arlett Mavare. One out later, he trotted home on a two-run shot by 1B Aaron Senne, making it 7-1.
Hickory had one last shot in the top of the ninth. With one down, C Kellin Deglan smacked a double to left-center field. CF Jordan Akins then unloaded a mammoth two-run bomb out of the ballpark to left field, cutting the score to 7-3. Gomez and LF Chris Grayson both singled after the homer, but RHP James Nygren (S, 5) retired the next two batters to close the 7-3 win for Greensboro.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 3, 2012
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