SAL1 Hickory Crawdads

C.J. KO's Power in 'Dads 2-1 Win

Published on May 14, 2013 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release


Hickory, NC - In a bit of baseball symmetry the Hickory Crawdads snapped their 4-game skid Tuesday night with an identical outcome to their last win, as 'Dads Ace C.J. Edwards tossed 5.2 strong innings and led the way to a 2-1 win over the West Virginia Power at L.P. Frans Stadium.

A Hickory pitching staff that had allowed 34 runs over the previous four games collectively buckled down, as Edwards' outing was followed by 3.2 combined perfect innings from Jose Leclerc and Alexander Claudio.

All was not perfect for the lanky Hickory hurler though, as Edwards did walk a season high five batters while allowing multiple base runners in three separate innings. Every time he seemed on the verge of collapse Edwards came through however, as the dominant righty allowed just one run on six hits while also tying a season high with eight strikeouts.

Edwards was backed by just enough offense from the Crawdads bats. Held in check most of the night by Power left-handed starter Joely Rodriguez, the 'Dads were able to break up a 0-0 tie in the fourth when second baseman Ryan Rua doubled off the center field wall to plate Nick Vickerson. First baseman Joe Maloney followed with an RBI single to left to give Hickory a 2-0 lead.

Edwards allowed his only run of the game the following half inning, when the Power scored on a two out, RBI base hit to right by Dilson Herrera to make the score 2-1.

The 'Dads starter would finally run out of gas in the sixth inning, as the Power threatened to tie the game with two runners on and two out. That's when Leclerc came to his teammate's rescue, inducing a ground out by West Virginia catcher Francisco Diaz to end the threat and maintain the lead.

Leclerc would toss a perfect sixth with two strikeouts before giving way to Claudio, with the lefty picking up two Ks of his own over two perfect frames to close out the win.

Edwards (4-1) picked up the well-deserved victory for the 'Dads while Rodriguez (2-3) was the hard luck loser with only two runs allowed on six hits over six innings pitched. Claudio earned his team leading fifth save of the season for finishing the win.

Lewis Brinson finished the game as the only Crawdad hitter with a multi-hit game, going 2-3 with a double, a walk and a stolen base. Rua went 1-3 with an RBI double while Maloney ended the night 1-3 with his RBI base knock.

The win moves the Crawdads (20-17) 1.5 games ahead of the Power (19-19) for second place in the SAL North Division. The 'Dads will go for the series win Wednesday morning at 11:00 am.

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Day Baseball at L.P. Frans: The Crawdads wrap up their 3-game home stand Wednesday in an 11:00 am day game. It's another Business Persons Special with $5 box seats available to anyone who presents a business card at the ticket office! It's also Unemployment Night where fans can show their NCESC issued debit card and receive up to four complimentary tickets.

Get Tickets:

Individual Tickets for all Crawdads home games are available right now at Hickorycrawdads.com X8G0eruUs8] or by calling (828) 322-3000! Group outings, corporate partnerships, Buffalo Wild Wings Claw Club memberships and Ticket Books are also available right now by calling the Front Office at (828) 322-3000.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 14, 2013


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