Swanson Surges in Crawdads 6-2 Win
April 29, 2016 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory, NC - The Hickory Crawdads used a 5-run 1st inning and a dominant pitching performance by Erik Swanson to roll to their 4th straight win Friday night, as the 'Dads defeated the visiting Lexington Legends 6-2 at L.P. Frans Stadium.
The Crawdads jumped on Legends starting pitcher Foster Griffin for 5 runs on 6 six in the 1st, with all nine batters stepping to the plate in the breakout opening frame. That fast start provided more than enough support for Swanson, who threw a career-high 7 scoreless innings while striking out a career-best 8 batters.
Leadoff batter Eric Jenkins started the 1st inning surge with a single up the middle before he stole second base and came home to score on an RBI double by Chris Garia. Garia would steal third base himself and score two outs later on an RBI single to left from Tyler Sanchez. The 'Dads kept the 2-out hits rolling from there, as Yeyson Yrizarri reached on an infield base knock and was followed by Ti'Quan Forbes who delivered a 2-RBI single to center. Forbes moved himself into scoring position when he took second base on the throw home from his single, which allowed Jose Almonte to cash in with an RBI base knock to center to put Hickory on top 5-0.
Griffin settled down following the 1st and posted four subsequent scoreless frames before departing after 5 innings pitched. Lexington reliever Torey Deshazier picked up where his teammate left off with a shutout 6th before the Crawdads scored again in the 7th with a bases loaded, infield RBI single by Yrizarri that stretched the 'Dads advantage to 6-0.
Hickory lost the shutout in the 8th when reliever Jacob Shortslef allowed a 2-out, 2-RBI single to D.J. Burt to make the score 6-2, but Shortslef escaped the inning with no further damage before Johan Juan closed out the game with a perfect 9th for the 6-2 Hickory victory.
Swanson (2-0) earned the win with only three hits and no walks allowed over his 7 sterling innings pitched. Griffin (1-3) took the loss for Lexington with five runs allowed on 8 hits, three walks, and 3 strikeouts over 5 IP.
Yrizarri led the 'Dads bats by going 4-4 with an RBI, a stolen base, and a run scored. Forbes finished with the only multi-RBI game by going 1-4 with 2 RBI and a run scored, while Jenkins went 1-4 with 3 stolen bases, 2 runs scored, and a walk.
The Crawdads (15-7) are now a season-best 8 games over .500. The 'Dads will try to stretch their win streak to 5 in game 2 of their 4-game series against the Legends (9-13) Saturday night, with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 pm.
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