Crawdads Take Finale in Asheville, 5-3
Published on April 15, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
ASHEVILLE, NC - The Hickory Crawdads topped the Asheville Tourists, 5-3, before 3,255 fans to wrap up the four-game series at Historic McCormick Field on Thursday night. RHP Josh Lueke closed out the win with four strikeouts in an extended bottom of the ninth inning.
The Crawdads (4-4) got out to an early lead in the top of the 1st, when DH Jared Prince hit a solo home run over the center field wall off Asheville starter RHP Nick Schnaitmann (1-1). Prince went 6-for-9 with one homer, three doubles, four RBIs and two runs in the last two games in Asheville.
The Tourists (5-3) came back with two runs against RHP Wilmer Font in the bottom of the first. After the Crawdads tied the game on an RBI double by LF Ed Koncel in the top of the second, Asheville again took a lead with a tally in the bottom of the third, moving back in front, 3-2.
Hickory responded right away with two runs in the top of the 4th, taking a 4-3 lead. 3B Matt West, 1B Mike Ortiz and C Zach Zaneski each drew walks to start the inning and load the bases with no one out. A fielder's choice put an out on the board, but then 2B Edwin Garcia and CF Cody Podraza came through with consecutive RBI singles to give the 'Dads the lead.
The Crawdads tacked on an insurance run in the top of the fifth, when Zaneski drove in RF Miguel Velazquez with an RBI single. With a 5-3 lead through 4.5 innings, the Crawdads bullpen took over and shut out Asheville the rest of the way.
LHP Robbie Erlin (1-0) took over on the mound with two down in the bottom of the fifth and pitched 2.1 perfect innings of middle relief. RHP Braden Tullis then held the lead through a scoreless eighth, and Lueke slammed the door in the ninth. Lueke struck out the side with four strikeouts, due to one of the Tourists strikeout victims reaching on a wild pitch, finalizing the Crawdads 5-3 victory.
Erlin registered his first win of the season and Lueke logged his second save, while Schnaitmann was tagged with the loss for Asheville.
Crawdads Clippings:
Don't miss the Crawdads Opening Night Fireworks Extravaganza this Friday night, presented by Crowne Plaza, Mister Tuxedo and The Big Dawg 92.1 FM. The 'Dads host the Kannapolis Intimidators at 7 p.m., followed by a post-game fireworks show you're not going to want to miss! Gates open at 6 p.m.
The Crawdads host the Intimidators all weekend long, with Long-Sleeve T-Shirt Giveaway, presented by Galaxy Foods Center, Ragu and KICKS 103.3FM on Saturday at 7 p.m., the first Faith and Family Day, presented by Lower Creek Baptist and 106.9 The Light on Sunday at 5 p.m. (pre-game service at 3:30 p.m.), and 2-for-1 Senior Night on Monday, courtesy of ResCare and 63 Big Ways 630AM. Kids also eat for FREE with a ticket purchase on Monday night! The 'Dads then host the Charleston RiverDogs from Tuesday - Friday night with more great promotions each game!
Get Tickets:
Single game tickets for all Crawdads games are on sale now at the Crawdads Ticket Office and online at www.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 (828) 322-3000.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 15, 2010
- Crawdads Take Finale in Asheville, 5-3 - Hickory Crawdads
- RiverDogs Black Out Power, 6-4 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Gnats Snap Skid With 4-1 Win Thursday - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Doyle Dazzles, Intimidators Win Again - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- BlueClaws Burned by Suns, 4-2 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Kannapolis takes 5-1 win over Legends - Lexington Legends
- Drive Do It All in 4-0 Shutout in Homestand Finale - Greenville Drive
- Suns Shut Down BlueClaws 4-2 - Hagerstown Suns
- Jackets Again Denied Sweep, Fall 4-1 - Augusta GreenJackets
- Shorebirds Win 1,000th Game In Franchise History - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Power, Pirates to Raise Funds for Montcoal Mining Disaster Fund - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Opening Homestand Run-Down - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Captains Return On April 17 For Six-Game Homestand - SAL1
- Shorebirds Game Notes - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Cannon, Taylor To Return For Opening Night; Legends To Be In 'Formal Attire' - Lexington Legends
- Shorebirds On Verge Of 1,000th Win In 15th Anniversary Season - Delmarva Shorebirds
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