SAL1 Charleston Dirty Birds

Bolton's Career Night Spoiled by Hickory in Extras

Published on July 13, 2018 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release


HICKORY, N.C. - Cody Bolton turned in the best start of his professional career, but Hickory rallied to force extra innings before winning it in the 10th on a sacrifice fly from Preston Scott to give the Crawdads a 5-4 victory Friday evening at L.P. Frans Stadium.

With Tyler Ratliff starting the 10th inning on second base, Matt Seelinger (1-3) took the mound and struck out Justin Jacobs to open the frame. That would be the last out Seelinger would record, however, as Yonny Hernandez singled to put runners at the corners before stealing second base. After an intentional walk to Ryan Dorow, Scott lofted a sacrifice fly to right that scored Ratliff and gave Hickory (11-10, 41-48) the walk-off win.

Bolton spun seven innings for the first time in his career and struck out a career-best nine batters while holding Hickory to two runs (one earned) on five hits. The Tracy, Calif., native now has four quality starts in eight total outings with West Virginia (11-10, 48-39).

West Virginia broke through against Crawdads starter A.J. Alexy in the second inning. With one out in the frame, Ryan Peurifoy worked a five-pitch walk. The next batter, Kyle Watson, dribbled a ground ball just inside the third base line for an infield single to put runners at first and second. Fabricio Macias then stepped in and laced a single back up the middle, scoring Peurifoy to give the Power a 1-0 lead.

However, Hickory responded in the bottom of the second. The Crawdads quickly put runners at the corners with nobody out, as Pedro Gonzalez stroked a lead-off triple into right-center field off Bolton and Miguel Aparicio reached on a grounder to Ben Bengtson, who looked Gonzalez back to third and let Aparicio get to first. Bolton settled down after that, inducing a 6-4-3 double play by Sam Huff, but that allowed Gonzalez to come home and knot the game at one. The right-hander allowed just three more hits for the rest of his outing.

The Power went right back to work against Alexy in the third, stringing three straight hits together to open the inning. Oneil Cruz snuck one past Hernandez at second base that he turned into a hustle double. Cruz then moved to third on a single from Calvin Mitchell before Raul Hernandez brought him in with a run-scoring knock to left. After Alexy struck out Bengtson for the second time tonight, Peurifoy doubled into the right-center field gap to score Mitchell and Hernandez, making it 4-1 West Virginia.

Hickory struck once more against Bolton in the seventh on an RBI groundout from Aparicio to close the Power's lead to 4-2, but Bolton fanned Huff and Ratliff to silence the Crawdads in the frame.

Elvis Escobar relieved Bolton to start the eighth and retired the first two batters he faced on a ground out and a pop out. He then ran into some trouble as Dorow singled with two down to keep the inning alive. The next batter, Scott, doubled to right to bring in Dorow and slim West Virginia's lead to 4-3.

Hickory continued to attack Escobar in the ninth, as Aparicio tied the game after he drilled his fourth home run of the season to left with one away. The southpaw recovered to set down Huff and Ratliff to end the inning and send the game to extra innings.

Demarcus Evans (2-0) earned the win for the Crawdads after tossing three scoreless frames with five strikeouts.

West Virginia heads back home to begin a four-game series with the Delmarva Shorebirds Saturday night, with first pitch set for 6:05 p.m. at Appalachian Power Park. The Power sends RHP Travis MacGregor (1-2, 2.54 ERA) to the hill, while the Shorebirds counter with righty Brenan Hanifee (7-3, 2.41 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 5:40 p.m. on The Jock 1300 and 1340 AM, as well as online at www.wvpower.com and via the TuneIn Radio App and MiLB First Pitch App.

Saturday is Ryan Switzer Night, presented by Thomas Health System, as well as Special Olympics Night. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a Ryan Switzer bobblehead, while the Oakland Raider will also make an appearance, toss a first pitch and sign autographs from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This homestand also includes a Kidz Sunday Funday, Family Buck Night, Game Show Night and a Rock 105 Two for Tuesday. For tickets and more information, call the Power at 304-344-2287 or visit wvpower.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 13, 2018


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