Crawdads Walk off with 2-1 W in 11 Innings
Published on May 31, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory, NC - The Hickory Crawdads ended their series against the Rome Braves and their weeklong home stand in dramatic fashion Sunday evening, as Eduard Pinto's 2-out, RBI single gave the 'Dads a walk-off 2-1 win over the Braves in 11 innings at L.P. Frans Stadium.
The walk-off victory was the fourth such win for the Crawdads this year, with the club improving to 4-0 in extra inning games. The win also gave the 'Dads a series split with the Braves to finish off the home stand with a 5-2 record.
Hickory appeared to be in line to win two innings earlier, as the Crawdads carried a 1-0 lead into the 9th with closer John Fasola on the mound. The South Atlantic League leader in saves had not blown an opportunity all season, but quickly found himself in trouble following back-to-back singles by Ozhaino Albies and Erison Mendez. Fasola bounced back with consecutive strikeouts to move within an out of ending the game, but Rome right fielder Braxton Davidson looped a broken bat single to left that brought home Albies and tied the game at 1-1.
Fasola recovered from his first blown save by keeping the game tied with scoreless innings in the 10th and 11th. That left the door open for the 'Dads bats in the bottom of the 11th, when Josh Morgan was hit by a pitch with one out to put the winning runner on base. Jose Cardona followed with a single before Michael De Leon struck out to bring up Pinto with two on and two out. The Crawdads left-fielder wasted no time by jumping on the first pitch from Rome reliever Dustin Emmons and lining a single to center field. Braves center fielder Connor Oliver got the ball back to the plate quickly with a strong throw, but Morgan's headfirst slide eluded the tag and gave the 'Dads the 2-1 win.
Prior to the extra inning drama, the first six frames witnessed no runs for either team thanks to the standout pitching of Ariel Jurado for the Crawdads and Max Povse for the Braves. Jurado left the game after 6 shutout innings and turned the ball over to reliever Austin Pettibone, who picked up right where the starter left off with two perfect innings out of the bullpen. Povse cruised through the first six frames with no runs allowed on two hits, but Pinto led off the 7th with a double down the right field line and would eventually come in to score on an RBI sacrifice fly by Luke Tendler to put Hickory ahead 1-0.
Fasola (1-0) earned his first win of the year with one run allowed on four hits and four strikeouts over a season-long three innings pitched. Emmons (0-3) took the loss for Rome after allowing the winning run in the 11th.
Pinto finished the game 2-4 with a double, RBI, run scored, and a walk, while Tendler went 1-3 with an RBI.
The Crawdads (34-16) will now head to Hagerstown to start a 3-game series with the Suns (25-25). First pitch on Monday is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 31, 2015
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