All Good Things Must Come to an End
Published on September 1, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
A 2008 season full of ups and downs ended as it began for Hickory: with a win. The Crawdads defeated the Greenville Drive, 8-2, at L.P. Frans Stadium on Monday. Similarly to its opening-night win, Hickory relied on a strong starting effort from Duke Welker, who tossed five innings and allowed just one run on three hits and two walks, striking out five.
Welker also started the season as the opening-night hurler for the 'Dads, allowing only one run on two hits in four innings against the West Virginia Power on April 5.
While Welker kept Greenville (30-39, 70-69) quiet, Hickory (22-47, 53-87) took to the bats early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning and six runs in the first three frames.
Leading the way for the 'Dads offensively were Matt Hague and Albert Laboy. The rookie Hague went 3-4 with three singles and two RBIs, also scoring once. Laboy, meanwhile, hit his sixth home run of the season with a solo shot in the second inning en route to finishing 2-3 with two runs and the RBI.
Rookie shortstop Jordy Mercer also proved a bright spot for the 'Dads, improving his hitting streak to 10 games with a sixth-inning single. Mercer became the seventh Crawdad to hit safely in 10 straight games this year, while the streak marked the ninth time it had happened this season.
The Drive failed to offer much resistance with two runs on seven hits. Thomas Di Benedetto led the way with two hits and two runs, while Will Vazquez also went 2-4 for Greenville.
While the Drive struggled at the plate, seven of the nine Crawdads starters had hits and every member of the lineup either scored or drove in a run.
Welker improved to 4-13 on the season with the win. Greenville starter Jose Alvarez dropped to 8-9 with the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks in three innings.
Hickory finished the year with a series win, taking two of three from Greenville, while the 'Dads have also now won three straight season finales, dating back to the 2006 season.
The Crawdads will begin the 2009 season with a home series April 9 against the newly minted Bowling Green (Ky.) franchise, which will make its debut in the South Atlantic League in place of the Columbus Catfish.
Between now and then, be sure to continue visiting www.hickorycrawdads.com for all the latest news and information surrounding the Hickory Crawdads.
South Atlantic League Stories from September 1, 2008
- Tourists Drop Regular Season Finale 3-1 - Asheville Tourists
- Suns Fall In Season Finale 12-8 - Hagerstown Suns
- Jackets End Regular Season with Win over Tourists - Augusta GreenJackets
- Taylor Becomes Legends Career Hits Leader - Lexington Legends
- BlueClaws close season with 2-1 loss at Delmarva - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Shorebirds win 78th of season - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Captains Win Final Regular Season Game - Lake County Captains
- All Good Things Must Come to an End - Hickory Crawdads
- Legends Fall in Dramatic Fashion in Season Finale - Lexington Legends
- Gnats Close Out 2008 Season with Win - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Drive Fall 8-2 to Crawdads in Season Finale - Greenville Drive
- Intimidators Finish Season With 4-3 Loss To Power - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Hoppers Walk Off With Win, Again - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Power Finish Regular Season with a Walk Off Victory - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Catfish Catch Braves - Rome Emperors
- Taylor Breaks All-Time Hits Mark - Lexington Legends
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