Crawdads Weekly - 'Dads Have Seven Players Among SAL League Leaders
Published on April 27, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory, N.C. - The Hickory Crawdads took their second home series against the Charleston RiverDogs, three games to one, and are going for a series split tonight against the Sand Gnats in Savannah.
The Crawdads are currently tied with the Kannapolis Intimidators for 4th place in the Northern Division with a record of 9-10. Hickory sits just a game and a half behind the first-place Delmarva Shorebirds.
THIS WEEK (ALL TIMES EASTERN):
Tuesday, April 27 @ Savannah (7:05 p.m.)
Wednesday, April 28 @ Charleston (7:05 p.m.)
Thursday, April 29 @ Charleston (7:05 p.m.)
Friday, April 30 @ Charleston (7:05 p.m.)
Saturday, May 1 @ Charleston (7:05 p.m.)
Monday, May 3 vs. Asheville (7 p.m.)
WEEK IN REVIEW (Home team in CAPS):
Tuesday, April 20
CRAWDADS 8 vs. Charleston 6
CF Miguel Velazquez puts the Crawdads ahead for good in the bottom of the third with a two-run homer. RHP Josh Lueke picks up his fourth save of the season.
Wednesday, April 21
CRAWDADS 3 vs. Charleston 2
The Crawdads score two runs on four straight singles in the bottom of the ninth for a come-from-behind, walk-off win. C Leonel De Los Santos drove in the winning run on an RBI infield single.
Thursday, April 22
CRAWDADS 7 vs. Charleston 6
The 'Dads score five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning for their second-consecutive comeback win. DH Ed Koncel, SS Leury Garcia, and 3B Matt West all slugged home runs.
Friday, April 23
Charleston 6 vs. CRAWDADS 3
RHP Joe Wieland allowed three runs in the first, lasting just three innings. Hickory scores two runs in the sixth to pull within a run, 4-3, but the RiverDogs add runs in the seventh and eighth and hold on to win.
Saturday, April 24
SAVANNAH 4 vs. Crawdads 2
Hickory scored two runs in the first on a string of four singles and a run-scoring groundout, but were shut-out the rest of the way by Sand Gnats starter LHP James Fuller and closer RHP Michael Powers.
Sunday, April 25
SAVANNAH 6 vs. Crawdads 5
The Crawdads score two in the top of the ninth to pull ahead, 5-4, but the Sand Gnats countered with two unearned runs in the bottom of the ninth to take the 6-5 win . DH Cody Podraza and CF Miguel Velazquez combined to supply four of Hickory's 11 hits and drive in four of the team's five runs.
Monday, April 26
Crawdads 11 vs. SAVANNAH 2
The 'Dads set season-highs with 11 runs and 18 hits, including three home runs hit by LF Cristian Santana, C Vinny DiFazio and INF Ed Koncel. 1B Mike Ortiz tied a team season-high with four hits. RHP Matt Thompson struck out seven over six innings, only surrendering one run to earn the win
PLAYER AND TEAM NOTES:
~Hickory has won two of four series thus far and is looking for their first series split tonight in Savannah.
~Despite missing a week on the DL, C Vinny DiFazio still sits in the top-10 in walks in the SAL with 10.
~SS Leury Garcia leads the Crawdads with nine stolen bases, second in the SAL to just Greenville Drive CF Jeremy Hazelbaker with 12.
~LHP Robbie Erlin has allowed just one run in his first 9.1 innings pitched, allowing just four hits (tied with RHP Josh Lueke for lowest on the team). Erlin also leads the SAL in fewest baserunners allowed per nine innings with 4.82, and is fourth among SAL relievers with a .125 batting average allowed.
~3B Matt West currently has a six-game hitting streak going with six hits during that stretch.
~SS Leury Garcia extended his hitting streak to five games with a 3-for-6 showing on Monday, May 26 against Savannah. He has eight hits during the streak.
THIRSTY THURSDAY, SCHEDULE POSTER GIVEAWAY, AND LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY HIGHLIGHT UPCOMING PROMOS NEXT HOMESTAND:
The 'Dads open the homestand on Monday, May 3 against the Asheville Tourists with Senior Adults 2-for-1 tickets courtesy of ResCare and 63 Big Ways 630 AM. Kids also eat for free at the ballpark with the purchase of a ticket. Gates open at 6 p.m., first pitch is at 7 p.m.
The Crawdads offer two great ticket deals every Tuesday! The 'Dads offer Dollar Day, allowing fans to buy one full-price ticket and get a Grandstand ticket for just $1. There are also several food and merchandise items around the ballpark sold for just a buck! Buy 1 Ticket, Get 1 Free from KRAFT Singles with purchase. Bring your package wrapper to a Crawdads Game on Tuesdays for a steal of a deal! Visit kraftsingles.com for more info! Exclusions apply. Tuesday, May 4 is also a Salute to Brett Favre. Gates open at 6 p.m., first pitch is at 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, May 5, its Unemployment Night - fans with a valid NCESC issued debit card or printed online statement can receive up to four complimentary tickets. It's also the official kick-off of Wii Wednesday with a season-long home run derby to determine the winner of a Nintendo Wii! The Crawdads will also be celebrating Cinco De Mayo with a Mexican-themed fiesta. Gates open at 6 p.m., first pitch is at 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 6 is Thirsty Thursday featuring $1 beers and Pepsis, sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings. It's also Date an Intern Night presented by K & J Charters, KICKS 103.3 FM, and Whitfield's Florist. A select number of women will compete in on-field and trivia games for a date with Group Sales Assistant Gregor Walz. There will also be a live performance by
Norva Jean Dreams after the game! Gates open at 6 p.m., first pitch is at 7 p.m.
The Crawdads begin a new series with the Greenville Drive on Friday, May 7. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a FREE 2010 Crawdads Schedule Poster courtesy of Hickory Printing, Northwest Drywall, and WNNC 1230 AM! It is also Sylvan Learning Center Reading Rewards Night, where all students who successfully completed the 2010 Sylvan Learning Center Crawdads All-Star Reading Program will receive a free ticket and be recognized on the field prior to the first pitch. There will also be Fan vs. Food contests during inning breaks with an ultimate showdown contest later in the game. Gates open at 6 p.m., first pitch is at 7 p.m.
Prior to the game on Saturday, May 8, the Crawdads and Fleet Feet will be hosting the annual Home Run Trot 5K Race at L.P. Frans Stadium. It's also a Saturday giveaway, with the first 1,000 fans receiving a Crawdads Long Sleeve T-Shirt, compliments of Galaxy Foods Center, Nissin, and 1290 WHKY. The 'Dads will also be celebrating Conrad the Crawdad's Birthday with plenty of his mascot buddies coming out to celebrate with him. Gates open at 6 p.m., first pitch is at 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 9 is Mother's Day, so bring Mom out to the ballpark for a yellow rose courtesy of Whitfield's Florist. Gates open at 4 p.m., first pitch is at 5 p.m.
The 'Dads close out the homestand on Monday, May 10 with a special 11 a.m. start time (gates open at 10 a.m.) for Senior Day and the Businessperson's Special. Senior adults receive $5 tickets with lunch included, and businessmen/women receive $5 Box Seat tickets by bringing a business card to the Ticket Office.
GET TICKETS:
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 (828) 322-3000.
LEAGUE LEADERS:
Pitching:
LHP Robbie Erlin - .125 batting avg. allowed (4th relievers)
RHP Trevor Hurley - .132 batting avg. allowed (5th relievers)
LHP Robbie Erlin, RHP Hector Nelo - 1 walk allowed (T-2nd)
RHP Josh Lueke - 5 saves (T-1st)
RHP Josh Lueke - 8 games finished (T-1st)
LHP Robbie Erlin - 4.82 baserunners allowed per nine innings (1st relievers)
RHP Trevor Hurley - 6.00 baserunners allowed per nine innings (T-2nd relievers)
Batting:
C Vinny DiFazio - 10 walks (T-8th)
LF Cristian Santana, INF Ed Koncel - 3 home runs (T-3rd)
CF Miguel Velazquez - 7 doubles (T-4th)
SS Leury Garcia - 9 stolen bases (T-2nd)
CRAWDADS LEADERS:
Average- RF Jared Prince (.318)
Home Runs- LF Cristian Santana, INF Ed Koncel (3)
RBI- RF Jared Prince (14)
Stolen Bases - SS Leury Garcia (9)
Walks - C Vinny DiFazio (10)
Wins - RHP Wilmer Font (2)
ERA - RHP Josh Lueke (0.00)
Strikeouts - RHP Matt Thompson (23)
Saves - RHP Josh Lueke (5)
Innings Pitched - RHP Matt Thompson (20.0)
South Atlantic League Stories from April 27, 2010
- Drive Can't Complete Sweep, Doubled Up 14-7 by Legends - Greenville Drive
- Crawdads Hang On for 4-3 Win - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Legends Take Series Finale in Greenville, 14-7 - Lexington Legends
- 'Dads Win Second Straight in Savannah, 4-3 - Hickory Crawdads
- Fluor Field Weather Update - Greenville Drive
- Fluor Field Weather Update - Greenville Drive
- Crawdads Weekly - 'Dads Have Seven Players Among SAL League Leaders - Hickory Crawdads
- BlueClaws Als Celebrity Waiter Event Returns May 26th - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Jackets Can't Wake Bats in Matinee Setback - Augusta GreenJackets
- Intimidators, Dale Earnhardt Incorporated Announce Partnership, Unveil Car - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Buschini, Zeid Lead BlueClaws to 3-2 Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Charleston Burns Rome Again, 5-0, To Sweep Series - Charleston RiverDogs
- Home Town Heroes Day At Historic Grayson Stadium This Saturday, May 1 - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Power Win Series, Take Game Four 6-1 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Suns Shutout Shorebirds 5-0 - Hagerstown Suns
- Suns Score Late And Blank Shorebirds, 5-0 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Greenville Scores 7 In 8th, Beats Legends 8-6 - Lexington Legends
- RiverDogs 5th Annual Golf Tournament Set For May 11 - Charleston RiverDogs
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