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 Hickory Crawdads

Mazara's Late HR Lifts 'Dads to 3-2 Win

July 28, 2014 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release


Hickory, NC - One night after the Hickory Crawdads and Delmarva Shorebirds matched up in a slugfest featuring 23 runs on 29 hits, the 'Dads and 'Birds faced off in a pitcher's duel Monday night with Hickory utilizing a solo home run by Nomar Mazara in the 8th for a 3-2 win at L.P. Frans Stadium.

The go-ahead blast by Mazara was his fourth homer in the last five games and gave him 19 total long balls on the year, just one behind teammate Travis Demeritte for the South Atlantic League lead. Mazara has been on a tear over the last two months, with the 19-year-old posting a slash line of .304/.404/.588 (AVG/OBP/SLG) with 14 homers and 51 RBI in 51 games played since June 1st.

For the seventh consecutive game the 'Dads initially fell behind, as the Shorebirds scored two runs on three hits in the 2nd inning for a 2-0 score. The first four 'Birds of the frame reached safely against Hickory starting pitcher Ricardo Rodriguez, with right fielder Conor Bierfeldt driving in the first run on a RBI double before DH Chance Sisco came in to score on a wild pitch.

The score would remain the same all the way until the bottom of the 6th, when Kellin Deglan roped a RBI double off of Delmarva starter Steven Brault to cut the deficit to 2-1. The 'Dads plated another single run in the 7th, this time with Travis Demeritte leading off the frame with a double before scoring two batters later on a RBI single by Marte off of Shorebirds reliever Dylan Rheault to tie the game at 2-2.

That set the stage for Mazara, who crushed a 1-0 pitch off the scoreboard in right-center field in the 8th to give Hickory their first lead of the night at 3-2. Crawdads closer Jose Valdespina shut the door from there, tossing a perfect 9th to complete the win and record his third save of the season.

'Dads pitcher Cole Wiper (7-8) earned the win in his first relief outing of the year, as the right-hander tossed two shutout innings on two hits and a strikeout. Rheault (8-3) took the loss for the 'Birds with two runs allowed on three hits and two strikeouts over his 2.1 frames on the mound.

Two other 'Dads joined Mazara with a multi-hit game, with Deglan finishing 2-4 with a double and a RBI while Demeritte went 2-3 with a double, a run scored, and a stolen base.

The Crawdads (22-16) have now won six of their last seven games and remain perfect against the Shorebirds (17-21) this season with a 6-0 record. The 'Dads will go for the four game sweep over the 'Birds in the final game of the home stand Tuesday night at 7:00 pm.


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South Atlantic League Stories from July 28, 2014


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