9th Inning Rally Gives Crawdads 4-3 Win
Published on May 17, 2016 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory Crawdads in Action
(Hickory Crawdads)
Lexington, KY - The Hickory Crawdads were down to their final out against the Lexington Legends Tuesday night before the bats came alive, as Josh Altmann tied the game with a solo home run to left before LeDarious Clark gave the club the lead with a go-ahead, RBI double for a come-from-behind 4-3 win at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.
The Crawdads entered the 9th trailing 3-2 after the Legends broke a 2-2 tie in the 8th with an RBI single from Travis Maezes. Lexington reliever Matt Ditman started the frame with consecutive strikeouts of Dylan Moore and Tyler Sanchez to bring the 'Dads to the brink of defeat. Altmann turned the game around however on the first pitch of his at-bat, when he launched his first home run of the season over the wall in left to tie the game at 3-3. Hickory kept the rally going with a single by Ti'Quan Forbes followed by a go-ahead, RBI double to right-center from Clark to give the Crawdads their first lead of the game.
The late action overshadowed 6.5 scoreless innings to begin the night for both clubs. Pedro Payano carried the load for the 'Dads with 6 shutout innings pitched on 3 hits, 2 walks, and 7 strikeouts. Lexington meanwhile got 3 scoreless frames from Daniel Concepcion and 2 shutout innings by Franco Terrero.
The Legends finally broke open the goose egg in the bottom of the 7th, when they scored 3 runs on 3 walks, a wild pitch by Hickory reliever Adam Choplick, and an RBI sacrifice fly from D.J. Burt for a 2-0 score. The Crawdads responded in the top of the 8th with two runs of their own to tie the score at 2-2. Clark started the rally with a double to left before Frandy De La Rosa laid down a bunt single to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Clark then came home to score on a wild pitch from Lexington reliever Gabriel Cramer before Yeyson Yrizarri plated the second tally with a sacrifice fly to center.
Lexington quickly re-took the advantage in the bottom of the 8th, this time using a walk from Choplick, two more free passes from reliever Joe Palumbo, and an RBI base knock by Maezes for a 3-2 score. Palumbo settled down after the hit, striking out the last two batters to strand the bases loaded and give the 'Dads a chance. That opened the door for Altmann and Clark to carry the Crawdads to the 4-3 Hickory victory.
Clark paced the Hickory hitters on the night finishing 3-4 with 2 doubles, an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base, while Altmann went 1-4 with his game-tying blast.
Palumbo (3-0) earned the win for the 'Dads with 2 scoreless innings pitched on one hit, two walks, and 3 strikeouts. Ditman (0-1) took the loss for Lexington after allowing the 2 runs in the 9th on three hits and two strikeouts.
The Crawdads (26-12) will now go for the series sweep over the Legends (15-23) Wednesday morning, with first pitch scheduled for 10:05 am.
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