Big Frames Foil Crawdads in 9-5 Defeat
Published on July 15, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory, NC - A pair of 4-run innings put the Hickory Crawdads in an 8-0 hole midway through their game Wednesday afternoon, and despite five unanswered tallies to get back in the contest the deficit proved to be too much as the 'Dads fell to the visiting Greensboro Grasshoppers 9-5 at L.P. Frans Stadium.
The 'Hoppers jumped on Crawdads starting pitcher Cody Buckel for four runs on three hits and two walks in the 2nd before doubling their advantage with four more tallies on two hits, two walks, and a passed ball against 'Dads reliever Kelvin Vasquez in the 6th. Facing an 8-0 deficit, the Hickory offense went to work in the bottom of the 6th by scoring two runs on two hits then crept even closer with three runs on three hits and a walk in the 7th for an 8-5 score. That would be as close as the Crawdads would get however, as Greensboro plated one last run in the 9th to finish with the 9-5 score.
The 'Dads offense had several chances early in the game to do damage, with the club loading the bases in both the 1st and 3rd innings while placing two men aboard in the 4th. The opportunities ultimately went unused however, as Hickory left eight men on base over the first four frames while stranding 11 total base runners for the game.
The Crawdads began their rally in the bottom of the 6th when Jose Cardona brought home Rock Shoulders on an RBI double before Carlos Arroyo plated Chuck Moorman with an RBI sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 8-2. The 'Dads made it 8-5 with three more tallies in the 7th, as Jairo Beras delivered an RBI double, Juremi Profar picked up an RBI sacrifice fly, and Moorman lined an RBI double off the base of the wall in right.
The comeback attempt stalled out there though, as Greensboro reliever Kyle Fischer shutout the 'Dads over the final two innings while his teammates tacked on a tally in the top off the 9th for the final 9-5 score.
Grasshoppers reliever Sam Alvis (3-3) earned the win with two runs allowed on three hits, one walk, and two strikeouts over his two innings out of the bullpen. Buckel (0-4) was handed the loss for Hickory with four runs given up on three hits, three walks, and 4 Ks during four innings pitched.
Luke Tendler led the 'Dads offensive attack by reaching base safely five times with two singles, three walks, and a run scored. Moorman finished the afternoon 2-3 with a double, a walk, and a run scored, while Cardona went 1-3 with a double, an RBI, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch.
The Crawdads (53-35/9-11) and Grasshoppers (35-54/6-14) will wrap up their 3-game series with a rubber match Thursday night scheduled to start at 7:00 pm.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 15, 2015
- BlueClaws' Martin Too Hot against Intimidators - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Shorebirds Win Fourth Straight with 11-3 Blowout - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Martin Leads 16-Hit Attack in 8-4 BlueClaws Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Delmarva Wins Second Straight over Legends - Lexington Legends
- Power Earns Doubleheader Split - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Sand Gnats Postponed - Savannah Sand Gnats
- RiverDogs Tag Toussaint for Six Early Runs, Double-Up Braves 10-5 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Annual BRUCEClaws Night Returns on July 25th as BlueClaws Celebrate Springsteen - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Big Frames Foil Crawdads in 9-5 Defeat - Hickory Crawdads
- Drive Fall 6-2 to GreenJackets - Greenville Drive
- Augusta GreenJackets Host Faith and Family Night - Augusta GreenJackets
- Second Time the Charm against Savannah's Delgado - Asheville Tourists
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
