SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

Crawdads Claw Past RiverDogs, 7-5

Published on April 28, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - Hickory scored five times in the top of the ninth capitalizing on two Charleston errors to come back from a three-run deficit and defeat Charleston, 7-5 in South Atlantic League action Wednesday night in front of a crowd of 2,114 fans at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.

Hickory jumps to 11-10, while Charleston's winning streak comes to a stop at five as the club drops to one game below .500 at 10-11.

Leading 5-2 into the ninth, Charleston brought in closer Ryan Flannery (1-2), who induced the first out, but proceeded to walk Cristian Santana, allow a single to Mike Ortiz and walk pinch-hitter Ed Koncel to load the bases. Cody Podraza was then issued the third free pass of the frame to force home Santana cutting the score to 5-3.

The RiverDogs summoned Ronny Marte with the sacks still full, and the Dominican native gave up a first-pitch bloop single to right that scored Garcia for a 5-4 game. Miguel Velazquez then roped a line drive, which was caught by Charleston shortstop Kelvin Castro, but his attempt at a game-ending double play was thrown into right-field scoring pinch-runner Joe Bonadonna for a 5-5 count.

Jared Prince rolled a ground ball to third base with two men in scoring position, but Garrison Lassiter's throw bounced wide of first allowing both runners to score and complete the five-run rally and 7-5 score.

Charleston would attempt a comeback of its own in the bottom half on a walk by DeAngelo Mack and a laser double by Jimmy Paredes against closer Josh Lueke. However, the 6'5" right-hander would retire the next three batters in order on a pair of strikeouts to pick up his league-leading seventh save of the year.

Mack's RBI single with two outs in the third against Hickory starter Joe Wieland put the RiverDogs up 1-0, but the Crawdads would tie the game at 1-1 in the fifth on a two-out error by Castro.

Rob Lyerly paced a three-run fifth for Charleston clobbering a two-run double against Wieland off the right-centerfield wall, and then scored on an error by Hickory reliever Hector Nelo, who missed covering first base on Kyle Higashioka's tapper to first base for a 4-1 lead. Wieland took the no-decision for Hickory, permitting seven hits in just 4.2 innings while walking and fanning a pair

Podraza would trim the lead to 4-2 for Hickory in the seventh with a RBI groundout, but the RiverDogs got a run in the eighth for a 5-2 game on Garrison Lassiter's RBI fielder's choice to plate Lyerly, who cleverly slid around the tag of catcher Vinny DiFazio.

RiverDogs starter Shaeffer Hall pitched 8.0 innings for the second time this year, and for the second time, took a no-decision surrendering just two runs -- one earned - on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

Higashioka led Charleston with three hits, while Mack, Paredes and Lyerly had two each. Luke Murton, though, went 0-for-4 to conclude his career-best 14-game hitting streak.

The second contest of the four-game series is set for Thursday at 7:05 p.m., as Charleston sends right-hander and reigning SAL Pitcher of the Week Graham Stoneburner (0-2, 2.16) to the mound to face southpaw Robbie Ross (1-3, 4.82) for Hickory.

BALLPARK FUN: It was another All-You-Can-Eat Wild Wednesday. For $20 fans enjoyed all-you-can eat and drink menu items all game long in the Ashley View Pub. Fans also painted with local artist Sarah Hickey! Wild Wednesday and BYOB are presented by 95.9 WIOP.

UP NEXT: It's another Thirsty Thursday presented by Budweiser and 95 SX. Thirsty Thursday features dollar food and drink specials at the Ashley View Pub. Also, fans can enjoy the musical stylings and delicious gumbo of the Sauce Boss.

Check out the Charleston RiverDogs Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 28, 2010


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