Crawdads Shut Out For First Time, 9-0
Published on May 10, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory concluded its 18-games-in-18-days stretch with a 9-0 loss to Savannah at L.P. Frans Stadium on Saturday, the first time the Crawdads have been shut out this season. Down 5-0 after the first inning, Hickory (16-21) never found an offensive rhythm against Savannah (15-21) and its starter Michael Antonini, who already owned a win against the 'Dads in 2008.
The Sand Gnats pounced on Crawdads starter Bradley Clapp in support of their ace, sending nine men to the plate to score the five runs on Clapp in the opening stanza. Savannah used five singles and a walk to score, also taking advantage of a wild pitch, passed ball and Hickory error in the first to take the lead.
The Gnats would later add two runs in the fifth on back-to-back RBI singles by Joaquin Rodriguez and Jake Eigsti, following with a two-run home run by Jose Jimenez in the seventh inning.
For Hickory, Bobby Spain went 2-for-3, the only Crawdad with multiple hits in the defeat. Spain finished the series 9-15 with three runs and five RBIs. Against Savannah this year, he has gone 15-for-30 with five doubles, five runs and six RBIs in eight games.
Keanon Simon had Hickory's only extra-base hit, lacing a double off Antonini in the second inning.
The Savannah southpaw earned the win, moving Antonini to 3-1 after six scoreless innings in which he allowed five hits and one walk against three strikeouts. It was the third straight outing Antonini has lasted six innings or longer and his second win against Hickory this year. Josh Stinson relieved Antonini with three scoreless innings to notch his second save of the season.
Clapp took the loss for the Crawdads, dropping to 0-3. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on eight hits in 4.2 innings.
Hickory finished its run of 18 straight days of baseball with a 7-11 record, including a 1-7 homestand at L.P. Frans Stadium. While it was the first time Hickory had been shut out this year, Saturday's game marked the third time Savannah had blanked an opponent in 2008.
The Crawdads will enjoy an off-day Sunday, followed by an eight-game road trip: four games at Columbus and four at Rome.
It will mark the first meetings for the Crawdads with each team this year. Hickory is 9-9 on the road this season and expects 2007 second-round pick Duke Welker to start Monday, his first outing since going on the disabled list April 14.
Road coverage of Monday's game will be available on The Big Dawg 92.1 FM or right here at www.hickorycrawdads.com.
GAME NOTES: Game time was 2:40. Attendance was 2,488. ...Eight of Savannah's nine hitters either scored or drove in a run. The Sand Gnats finished with 12 hits, their fourth game of the week with 12 or more knocks. ...Tom Boleska threw two innings of scoreless relief for Hickory, his sixth straight scoreless appearance. ...Hickory and Savannah will not meet again until a four-game series July 29 at Savannah. The Sand Gnats join Charleston as the only teams to visit Hickory once in 2008 but host the Crawdads twice.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 10, 2008
- Captains Shutout Grasshoppers 9-0 - Lake County Captains
- Suns Split Doubleheader With Power - Hagerstown Suns
- Power And Suns Split - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Can't Win 'Em All, 'Birds Fall 3-2 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Tourists Take First Place With Series Win Over Charleston - Asheville Tourists
- Crawdads Shut Out For First Time, 9-0 - Hickory Crawdads
- Hickman Extends On-Base Streak as Captains Shut Out Hoppers - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Bond Extends Hit Streak to 19 Games in Jackets Loss - Augusta GreenJackets
- Drive Fall in Series Finale Versus Braves, 6-1 - Greenville Drive
- Naylor strong again in 6-1 BlueClaws win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Greensboro Game Notes - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Shorebirds Sweep Doubleheader In Lexington - Delmarva Shorebirds
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