Crawdads crack BlueClaws with 6-3 win
Published on May 1, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
HICKORY, N.C. - The Hickory Crawdads cruised to the 6-3 win against the Lakewood BlueClaws before 1,812 fans at L.P. Frans Stadium on Friday night. The Crawdads scored four runs in the third inning, including a three-run homer hit by 3B Matt West, to open up the lead on the scoreboard early and never looked back.
Both starters worked through the first two frames in scoreless fashion, but only Crawdads LHP Cliff Springston (2-1, 2.74) made it through the third unscathed. Hickory (11-11) started the bottom of the third against RHP Tyler Cloyd (1-2, 3.90) with a leadoff double hit by CF David Paisano, who advanced to third on a groundout and scored on an RBI single hit back up the middle by LF Eric Fry for the 1-0 lead. RF Mike Bianucci then doubled, putting runners on at second and third with one out for West, who promptly put the Crawdads ahead, 4-0, with a three-run shot to left field for his second homer of the season. West, who went 4-for-4 with 3 RBIs on Thursday, now has driven in six runs in his last two games.
The Crawdads added to the lead with a tally in the fourth on a DH Jake Kaase RBI double, before Lakewood (12-9) got on the board in the top of the fifth inning. The BlueClaws struck for a pair of runs in the frame, with a two-out, two-run single hit by 1B Jeremy Hamilton to right field, cutting the Crawdads lead to 5-2.
Bianucci quickly put Hickory back ahead by four runs with a solo shot to start the bottom of the fifth for his fourth long ball of the year. The Crawdads right fielder leads the team in homers and RBIs (18), and just missed the cycle by a triple tonight, going 3-for-3 with a home run, a double, single, an RBI, two runs, a walk and a stolen base.
After Lakewood picked up a run in the eighth inning off RHP Cody Eppley (0-0, 3.00), RHP Matt Nevarez struck out the side in the ninth inning to slam the door on the BlueClaws by the final of 6-3 and earn his third save on the year. Springston picked up the win tonight for Hickory, while Cloyd was tagged with the loss in game two of the four-game series.
Click here to view the complete box score.
Crawdads Clippings:
The Crawdads and BlueClaws continue the four-game series at L.P. Frans Stadium on Saturday with Mystery Giveaway! Gates open at 6 p.m., first pitch is at 7 p.m., and there will be a Barkley Baseball Clinic on the field from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Hamburger and Fry Complete Your Meal promotion will also still be in effect, and be sure to keep an eye out for the Hidden Coupon on Hickorycrawdads.com to get a buy-one-get-one free ticket to Sunday's game!
Single game tickets for all Crawdads games are on sale now at the Crawdads Ticket Office and online at Hickorycrawdads.com and start at just $6! Season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available at the Crawdads office, located at 2500 Clement Blvd. NW or by calling 322-3000.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 1, 2009
- Suns overpower West Virginia - Hagerstown Suns
- Sand Gnats Edge Drive, 2-1, in Series Finale - Greenville Drive
- Dogs Bite Back, Avoid Sweep - Asheville Tourists
- Power comeback falls short - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Dogs Bite Back, Avoid Sweep - Asheville Tourists
- RiverDogs Hammer Tourists, 6-3 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Crawdads crack BlueClaws with 6-3 win - Hickory Crawdads
- Sand Gnats Win In Ninth, 2-1 - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Intimidators give up 18 hits in 8-4 loss to Lake County - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Legends sweep Braves with 4-1 victory - Lexington Legends
- Home Runs, Pitching Help Crawdads Past BlueClaws - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Roster Move - Charleston Dirty Birds
- BlueClaws Begin Eight-Game Homestand on Tuesday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Captains Return Home on May 5 for Eight Game Homestand Featuring Food Specials and Mother's Day - Lake County Captains
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