Crawdads Split Doubleheader in Rome
May 5, 2016 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Rome, GA - The Hickory Crawdads split their doubleheader against the Rome Braves Thursday afternoon, as the 'Dads dropped the first game 4-3 before bouncing back for a 6-0 shutout victory in game 2 at State Mutual Stadium.
The Crawdads twice rallied behind the bat of LeDarious Clark in the opener, with the 'Dads DH going 2-3 with a home run, a double, and 3 RBI. The Braves jumped out ahead in the 2nd, when Justin Ellison lofted a solo home run off of 'Dads starting pitcher Dillon Tate to make the score 1-0. Clark answered with a homer of his own for Hickory in the 5th when he lined a 2-run shot to right that put the Crawdads ahead 2-1.
Rome came back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame, however, to quickly regain the lead at 3-2. Down to their final out in the 7th, the 'Dads once again got a big hit from Clark when he lined a 2-out, RBI double to left that plated Yeyson Yrizarri and tied the score at 3-3. The Braves once again had an answer through, as Jonathan Morales ended the game with a walk-off, RBI single to center that gave Hickory a 4-3 loss.
Braves reliever Oriel Caicedo (1-0) earned the win with 1 unearned run allowed over 2 innings pitched, while John Werner (0-1) took the loss for the Crawdads after allowing 1 run on 3 hits over 1.2 IP.
The 'Dads responded to their opening loss by jumping on Rome starting pitcher Mike Soroka for 4 runs, 2 earned, in the 1st inning of game 2 for an early 4-0 lead. Andy Ibanez, Dylan Moore, and Yrizarri all reached to load the bases for Chuck Moorman, who delivered a 2-out, 2-RBI single to left. On the same play, Braves catcher Lucas Herbert airmailed a throw to third that sailed into the left field corner allowing two more tallies to score for the 4-run Hickory advantage.
The Crawdads pushed their lead to 5-0 in the 3rd when Yrizarri tripled to right-center and came home on an RBI sacrifice fly by Moorman. The 'Dads plated their final run in the 4th, as Clark walked, stole second base, and scored two batters later on an RBI sacrifice fly from Ibanez for the final 6-0 score.
Hickory starter Jonathan Hernandez (4-1) earned the win with 5 scoreless innings pitched on 2 hits, 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Soroka (0-3) was handed the loss for Rome with 6 runs allowed, 4 earned, on 7 hits, 3 BB, and 3 Ks.
Moorman paced the 'Dads bats in the second game, finishing 1-2 with 3 RBI, while Yrizarri went 1-3 with a triple and 2 runs scored.
The Crawdads (18-9) and Braves (10-17) will wrap up their 3-game set Friday night, with the rubber match's first pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm.
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