Claws Escape Jam in 9th, Hold off Crawdads 3-1

April 25, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release

HICKORY, NC - Oscar Marcelino got Pedro Gonzalez to ground into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play with the bases loaded in the ninth as the BlueClaws held off Hickory 3-1 on Thursday night at LP Frans Stadium.

Marcelino, who got his first save, came on in the ninth behind Ethan Lindow who struck out seven over 3.1 innings in relief. Marcelino intentionally walked Sam Huff to load the bases before Gonzalez's double-play.

Lakewood (7-14) is now 3-1 to start their seven-game road trip while Hickory falls to 14-6 on the season.

Luis Garcia homered on the game's second pitch to put the BlueClaws up 1-0. It was the first time since last May, when Jake Scheiner led off two games with homers, that the BlueClaws leadoff man homered in the first inning. Additionally, it was just the ninth time that it's happened since 2012.

Matt Kroom later singled in Alec Bohm, who had doubled, to put the BlueClaws up 2-0.

Colton Eastman gave up one run in five innings, a solo home run to Sam Huff in the second. It was Huff's league-leading ninth home run of the season. Eastman allowed just two hits and fanned seven, matching his longest outing of the season.

The BlueClaws added a run in the sixth when Jonathan Guzman legged out a grounder to avoid a double play and allow Yerwin Trejo to score from third.

Bohm had three hits for his ninth multi-hit game and fourth three-hit game of the season.

The BlueClaws stole a season-high five bases in the game, including two by Yerwin Trejo. The BlueClaws lead the league with 28 stolen bases through their first 21 games this season.

The teams continue their series on Friday night at 7:00 pm. RHP Tyler McKay (0-1) starts for Lakewood opposite RHP Jean Casanova (0-0).

South Atlantic League Stories from April 25, 2019

• Ramiz and Rosa Go Back-To-Back in 5-1 Power Win - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Legends Can't Slow Drive in Game One - Lexington Legends
• 'Birds Ride Knight in Augusta Opener - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Walks, Three-Run Fifth Bury Suns - Hagerstown Suns
• Road Trip Woes Continue in Tough Loss at West Virginia - Asheville Tourists
• Bies Shines in Leading Dogs to First Win of Homestand - Charleston RiverDogs
• GreenJackets Drop Opener in Delmarva 4-3 - Augusta GreenJackets
• Huff Homers in Third Straight Game But 'Dads Fall - Hickory Crawdads
• Claws Escape Jam in 9th, Hold off Crawdads 3-1 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Fireflies Pitchers Strike out Season-High 15 Batters in Opener - Columbia Fireflies
• Fireflies Game Notes: April 25 at Charleston (Game 20) - Columbia Fireflies
• Hagerstown Suns Game Notes - Hagerstown Suns
• Game Notes (April 25) - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Delmarva Completes Sweep of Asheville Thanks to Massive Inning - Asheville Tourists
• Ten-Run Third Powers 'Birds to Another Sweep - Delmarva Shorebirds

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