Sting in the Spring: Gnats drop 'Dads in Eleven
May 9, 2008 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
While Friday's 9-4 score would imply Savannah beat Hickory easily, that was not the case at L.P. Frans Stadium, as the Crawdads fell to the Sand Gnats in 11 innings. After Savannah (14-21) starter Angel Calero no-hit Hickory (16-20) through six innings and Sand Gnats Joaquin Rodriguez and Casey Craig helped with solo home runs, the Crawdads faced a 4-0 deficit heading into the bottom of the eighth.
Then the comeback began.
In the bottom of the eighth, Hickory strung four singles together, capped by Jose De Los Santos' two-run hit to cut the Sand Gnat lead in half, 4-2.
Down a pair in the bottom of the ninth, the 'Dads saw Miles Durham lead off with a single. Two outs later, Marcus Davis and Bobby Spain connected on back-to-back two-out hits: Davis' an RBI single and Spain's a game-tying double.
After scoreless 10th innings for both teams, Savannah would unload in the 11th on Hickory reliever Carlos Amaro.
The Gnats sent 10 hitters to the plate, knocking in five runs on eight hits against Amaro. Craig hit a three-run home run -- his second big fly of the game and season -- to break the tie.
Three batters later, a Rodriguez RBI single to right coupled with an error by RF Erik Huber allowed two runners to score for the final 9-4 margin.
Savannah reliever Nick Waechter earned the win, improving to 1-0 after throwing the game's final 2.1 innings without a run or hit charged to him.
Amaro dropped to 3-2 with the loss, seeing his ERA jump from 3.79 to 5.75 in 1.1 innings.
Calero's six no-hit innings followed Hickory's Dustin Molleken, who also threw a no-no through six the night before. Calero would finish with three hits allowed in 7.1 innings.
It was Hickory's first loss in extra innings this year, dropping the 'Dads to 3-1 in bonus baseball. Savannah had not played in extras before winning Friday. The 11 innings were the most played by both sides this season.
Neither of the two teams has been able to win two in a row within either of the first two series between Hickory and Savannah this season.
The Crawdads hope to continue that trend with a win in the series finale Saturday at 7 p.m. and earn a second straight series split against the Sand Gnats.
On the mound will be RHP Brad Clapp (0-2, 2.00 ERA) for Hickory and LHP Michael Antonini (2-1, 3.22) for Savannah.
It is the last home game for Hickory before embarking on an eight-game road trip.
Reggy the Purple Party Dude will be on hand to entertain the fans and the Crawdads will be giving out free long-sleeve T-shirts. Tickets are available by calling (828) 322-3000 or right here on www.hickorycrawdads.com.
GAME NOTES: Game time was 3:34. Attendance was 2,782. ...The time was the second-longest for a Hickory game this year (3:50, Apr. 28 @ Greenville). The crowd was the second-biggest for a Crawdad home game this season (4,802, Apr. 24 vs. Augusta). ...Hickory became the sixth team to lose 20 games in the South Atlantic League in 2008. ...Hickory last won back-to-back games April 28-29 at Greenville.
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South Atlantic League Stories from May 9, 2008
- BlueClaws need 12 innings to take 5-3 win in Kannapolis - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Sting in the Spring: Gnats drop 'Dads in Eleven - Hickory Crawdads
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