Crawdads Weekly - 'Dads Win 1st-Half Division Title, Secure Playoff Spot
Published on June 21, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
HICKORY, NC - The Hickory Crawdads clinched the 1st-Half Northern Division Title on Saturday night by beating the Charleston RiverDogs and having the Greensboro Grasshoppers fall to the Kannapolis Intimidators. With the 1st-Half title comes an automatic 2011 playoff berth and home-field advantage in the Northern Division Championship Series in September.
The Crawdads finished the 1st Half in 1st place with a 40-28 record, one game ahead of the Greensboro Grasshoppers (40-30) and the Hagerstown Suns (40-30).
'DADS CLAIM SECOND 1ST HALF TITLE IN TEAM HISTORY
Saturday's historic moment marked just the second time in team history that the Crawdads have won the 1st-Half Division Title, and first since the 2002 season when the 'Dads went on to win their first-ever SAL Championship.
The historic moment arrived in dramatic fashion. Trailing the Charleston RiverDogs, 3-0, in the seventh inning, 1B Andrew Clark belted a two-run homer to pull Hickory within one run, before the team completed the comeback in the eighth inning. CF Teodoro Martinez squared the score with an RBI double to left field, before coming in on an RBI triple by SS Jurickson Profar, the league's youngest player. Profar then raced in on an RBI grounder by 2B Odubel Herrera, capping the exhilarating rally and accounting for the eventual final score, 5-3.
After the game, the Crawdads were forced to sweat it out, as the team listened to the conclusion of the Greensboro - Kannapolis extra-inning game. The Intimidators emerged victorious with a walk-off win in the 12th inning, knocking the Grasshoppers out of the title race and igniting the Crawdads celebration at L.P. Frans Stadium.
THIS WEEK:
Tuesday, North vs. South SAL ALL-STAR GAME @ Salisbury, MD (7:05 p.m.) Listen here!
Thursday, vs. West Virginia (7 p.m.)
Friday, vs. West Virginia (7 p.m.)
Saturday, vs. West Virginia (7 p.m.)
Sunday, vs. West Virginia (5 p.m.)
Monday, June 27 @ Kannapolis (7:05 p.m.)
Tuesday, June 28 @ Kannapolis (7:05 p.m.)
LAST WEEK (6-1 Record):
6/12: Hickory 12 @ Asheville 3
6/13: Hickory 10 @ Asheville 7
6/14: Hickory 2 @ Asheville 1
6/15: Hickory @ Asheville CANCELLED (Rain)
6/16: Hickory 5 vs. Charleston 1
6/17: Hickory 10 vs. Charleston 2
6/18: Hickory 5 vs. Charleston 3
6/19: Hickory 4 vs. Charleston 7
PLAYER AND TEAM NOTES:
~ The Crawdads have qualified for the SAL Playoffs for the second straight season under Field Manager Bill Richardson, and the third time since 2007.
~ 2B Alejandro Selen leads the SAL in home run/at-bat ratio, belting six bombs in just 61 at-bats this season. His six homers are tied for second on the team.
~ RHP Ryan Rodebaugh has only allowed an earned run in two of his 22 appearances.
~ Hickory finished the first half of the season winning 13 of 16 games.
~ 3B Christian Villanueva is the best fielding third baseman in the SAL (.940 fielding percentage).
~ The Crawdads are the second-best defensive team in the league (.972 fielding percentage).
~ Three Crawdads pitchers are averaging at least a one strikeout per inning pitched in their last two outings: RHP Cody Buckel (12/10), RHP Luke Jackson (16/10), and RHP Roman Mendez (12/12).
~ Hickory boasts an on-base percentage of .351, which is the best in the SAL.
FIREWORKS THIS FRIDAY AND SGT. SLAUGHTER ON SATURDAY MARK EXCITING HOMESTAND!
Thursday vs. West Virginia - 7 p.m.
- Thirsty Thursday - $1 can beers and Pepsis!
- Soul Watt post-game concert
- U.S. Air Force Night
- Buffalo Wild Wings
Friday vs. West Virginia - 7 p.m.
- FIREWORKS!
- New Year's Eve - Celebrate the start of the 2nd half of the season at L.P. Frans!
- Galaxy, Texas Pete, and Highway 106.1FM
Saturday vs. West Virginia - 7 p.m.
- SGT SLAUGHTER
AT THE GAME
- Exclusive Meet-and-Greet, 6 - 6:40 p.m.
- Box Ticket, Food, 2 autographed photos
- All just $20, book your spot today!
- Click It or Ticket Night
- WNNC 1230AM, NC Governors Highway Safety Program
Sunday vs. West Virginia - 5 p.m.
- 60's Night
- All fans born in the 60's get a Half Off Ticket!
LEAGUE LEADERS:
1B Andrew Clark - .413 On Base Percentage (7th)
2B Odubel Herrera - 18 Stolen Bases (T-6th)
3B Christian Villanueva - 16 Stolen Bases (9th)
1B Andrew Clark - 36 Walks (T-8th)
SS Jurickson Profar - 5 Triples (T-1st)
RF Josh Richmond - 19 Doubles (T-7th)
SS Jurickson Profar - 18 Doubles (T-10th)
C Tomas Telis - 75 Hits (T-7th)
RF Josh Richmond - 41 Runs (T-10th)
RHP Roman Mendez - 6 Wins (T-6th)
RHP Ryan Rodebaugh - 10 Saves (T-4th)
RHP Roman Mendez - 70 Strikeouts (T-7th)
CRAWDADS LEADERS:
Batting Average - C Tomas Telis (.305)*
Home Runs - 3B Christian Villanueva (7)
RBI - 3B Christian Villanueva (39)
Stolen Bases - 2B Odubel Herrera (18)
Walks - 1B Andrew Clark (36)
Wins - RHP Roman Mendez (6)
ERA - RHP Ryan Rodebaugh (0.49)
Strikeouts - RHP Roman Mendez (70)
Saves - RHP Ryan Rodebaugh (10)
Innings Pitched - RHP Roman Mendez (69.2)
* Minimum 75 at bats
South Atlantic League Stories from June 21, 2011
- Villanueva Drives in RBI, But North All-Stars Fall to South All-Stars, 6-3 - Hickory Crawdads
- Southern Division Wins SAL All-Star Game 6-3 - SAL1
- RiverDogs' Players Participate in SAL All-Star Game - Charleston RiverDogs
- South Beats North 6-3 in SAL All-Star Game - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Segedin Promoted to Tampa After Fantastic First Half - Charleston RiverDogs
- Crawdads Weekly - 'Dads Win 1st-Half Division Title, Secure Playoff Spot - Hickory Crawdads
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