Crawdads Weekly - First-Place 'Dads Lead SAL in Wins
Published on May 3, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
HICKORY, NC - The Crawdads have won their last five series and have earned victories in the first three games of their current four-game set with the Kannapolis Intimidators. During that span, Hickory has gotten terrific efforts from starters Justin Grimm (2-0, 3.17 ERA in last four starts) and Roman Mendez
(4-0, 1.69, 17 K), and they lead the South Atlantic League with 18 wins.
The Crawdads are currently 18-7 in the first half of the 2011 season, putting them in first place in the Northern Division, 2.0 games ahead of the Delmarva Shorebirds and Hagerstown Suns. Hickory has yet to lose a series to any opponent this year.
THIS WEEK:
Tues, May 3 vs. Kannapolis (7 p.m.)
Thurs, May 5 @ Greensboro (7 p.m.)
Fri, May 6 @ Greensboro (7 p.m.)
Sat, May 7 @ Greensboro (7 p.m.)
Sun, May 8 @ Greensboro (4 p.m.)
Mon, May 9 @ Savannah (7:05 p.m.)
WEEK IN REVIEW (Home team in CAPS):
Monday, April 25
Augusta 9 vs. HICKORY 3
Only one Crawdad batter mustered more than one hit as Hickory fell 9-3 to the Augusta GreenJackets. Jhonny Gomez went 2 for 4 and scored a run for the 'Dads. The bullpen surrendered four runs, but got 1.2 scoreless frames from Kevin Johnson, who struck out three GreenJackets.
Tuesday, April 26
HICKORY 9 vs. Augusta 1
The Crawdads blasted three homers, including a grand slam from Jonathan Roof, to down the GreenJackets 9-1. Roof drove in five total runs over the course of the game, and added a double on the day. Starter Justin Grimm took a no-decision, but fanned eight GreenJackets over 5.2 innings.
Wednesday, April 27
HICKORY 3 vs. Augusta 2 (11 innings)
After the teams headed to extra innings tied at one run apiece, the Crawdads overcame a one-run deficit in the bottom of the 11th to defeat the GreenJackets 3-2. Christian Villanueva drove in the game-winning run with a bases-loaded single in the 11th, his third hit of the game. Crawdads starter Matt Thompson did not factor in the decision, but whiffed ten batters and allowed just three hits and one walk in 6.2 innings of work.
Thursday, April 28
Augusta 10 vs. HICKORY 1
The GreenJackets took advantage of nine free passes and two HBPs from Hickory hurlers as they prevailed, 10-1. The Crawdads only offense came from catcher Tomas Telis, who blasted a solo home run to center field in the seventh inning.
Friday, April 29
HICKORY 8 vs. Augusta 3
The Crawdads scored three runs in the second inning and four more in the fifth en route to an 8-3 win. Jake Skole's fifth-inning grand slam broke the game wide open for Hickory. Hickory starter Roman Mendez earned his fourth win while allowing just one run on two hits and a walk in six innings.
Saturday, April 30
HICKORY 2 vs. Kannapolis 1
It took ten innings, but the Crawdads were able to put away the visiting Intimidators with a 2-1 victory, before 3,333 fans at L.P. Frans. Josh Richmond hit his first homer of the season, a solo shot that provided all of Hickory's scoring in regulation. Christian Villanueva notched his second game-winning RBI of the week in the tenth inning, driving Richmond in with one out.
Sunday, May 1
HICKORY 4 vs. Kannapolis 3
The Crawdads got another electric performance from Justin Grimm to help power them over the Intimidators for the second consecutive game. Grimm fanned 11 Kannapolis hitters over seven innings, allowing just two runs. Jhonny Gomez paced the offensive attack for Hickory, going three for three and scoring a run.
Monday, May 2
HICKORY 3 vs. Kannapolis 2
For the third time in seven games, 3B Christian Villanueva provided the game-winning, walk-off hit for the Crawdads. With a 2-2 tie and one away in the bottom of the ninth, Villanueva belted the solo shot to lift the 'Dads to the 3-2 win. Randol Rojas followed Matt Thompson on the mound and earned his fourth win of the season.
OSBORNE PROMOTED TO MYRTLE BEACH
Last Thursday, RHP Zach Osborne became the second Crawdad to be promoted by the Texas Rangers to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High-A) of the Carolina League. Osborne, 22, held a 1.26 ERA and fanned 21 hitters against just three walks in his eight appearances for Hickory. The native of Houston, Texas was selected in the ninth round of the 2010 June draft by the Rangers out of Louisiana-Lafayette.
He becomes the third Crawdad overall to earn a promotion this season, joining RHP Andrew Doyle on the Myrtle Beach squad. INF Edwin Garcia was also promoted to the Frisco RoughRiders (AA).
PLAYER AND TEAM NOTES:
~It's no surprise Christian Villanueva has three game-winning RBIs this year. His .389 batting average with runners on base is second-best on the team, and he's two for three with two walks with the bases loaded in five opportunities in 2011.
~The Crawdads are mowing down opposing hitters, with the pitching staff's 222 Ks good enough for third-best in the SAL.
~Hickory hitters are running wild, with 39 stolen bases in 24 games. That's second-best in the SAL.
~Ryan Rodebaugh has been sensational in relief over the last ten games, pitching seven innings with no earned runs and nine strikeouts against just five hits and two walks.
~The Crawdads offense is 2nd in the SAL in batting average (.286), 1st in On-Base Percentage (.362), and have the second-fewest strikeouts (157)
~The Crawdads pitching staff owns the 3rd-lowest ERA (3.76) in the league, and have allowed the fewest hits to opposing batters (194).
HALLOWEEN/FRIDAY THE 13TH NIGHT AND REPLICA JERSEY GIVEAWAY KICK OFF NEXT HOMESTAND!
Friday, May 13 vs. Augusta- 7 p.m. first pitch
-Halloween/Friday the 13th Night
-Wear your costume for a FREE ticket!
-The Big Dawg 92.1FM
Saturday, May 14 vs. Augusta- 7 p.m. first pitch
-Replica Jersey Giveaway - first 1,000 fans
-Conrad's Birthday Party
-Ladies Night
-Burke and Catawba County Little League Night
-Catawba Science Center Night
-Pepsi, WNNC 1230AM, Hickory Daily Record and Morganton Herald News
Sunday, May 15 vs. Augusta- 3:15 p.m. pregame service, 5 p.m. first pitch
-Bark at the Park- bring your dog out to the game!
-Sitcom Night
-Faith and Family Day service by Longview Church of God
Monday, May 16 vs. Augusta- 7 p.m. first pitch
-Kids Eat FREE (with the purchase of a ticket)
-2-for-1 Senior Night
-BINGO Night
-63 Big Ways 630AM
Tuesday, May 17 vs. Greensboro - 7 p.m. first pitch
-Dollar Day - 10 items just a buck each!
-KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets
-Reading Program Night
-Cartoon Night - wear a cartoon t-shirt for a Half Off ticket!
Wednesday, May 18 vs. Greensboro - 7 p.m. first pitch
-Unemployment Night - show NCESC card or printed online statement for 4 free tickets
-Guaranteed Winsdays- if the Crawdads don't win, all fans in attendance get a FREE ticket!
-Hickory Community Night
Thursday, May 19 vs. Asheville - 7 p.m. first pitch
-Thirsty Thursday - $1 can beers and Pepsis
-Jacob Johnson Band concert
-Date an Intern
GET TICKETS:
Single game tickets for all Crawdads games are on sale 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 Front Office, located at 2500 Clement Blvd. NW or by calling (828) 322-3000.
LEAGUE LEADERS:
1B Jhonny Gomez - .367 batting average (6th)
1B Jhonny Gomez - .457 on-base percentage (4th)
RF Josh Richmond - 21 runs (T-5th)
CF Teodoro Martinez - 9 SB (T-4th)
2B Odubel Herrera - 8 SB (T-6th)
RHP Roman Mendez - 4 wins (T-2nd)
RHP Randol Rojas - 4 wins (T-2nd)
RHP Roman Mendez - 1.78 ERA (3rd)
RHP Justin Grimm - 2.89 ERA (9th)
RHP Justin Grimm - 37 K (2nd)
CRAWDADS LEADERS:
Batting Average- 1B Jhonny Gomez (.367)
Home Runs- C Tomas Telis (4)
RBI- 3B Christian Villanueva (17)
Stolen Bases - CF Teodoro Martinez (9)
Walks - 1B Andrew Clark (13)
Wins - RHP Roman Mendez, RHP Randol Rojas (4)
ERA - RHP Ryan Rodebaugh (0.00)
Strikeouts - RHP Justin Grimm (37)
Saves - T-Four pitchers (1)
Innings Pitched - RHP Justin Grimm (28.0
Wins - RHP Roman Mendez, RHP Randol Rojas (4)
Thursday, April 28
Augusta 10 vs. HICKORY 1
The GreenJackets took advantage of nine free passes and two HBPs from Hickory hurlers as they prevailed, 10-1. The Crawdads only offense came from catcher Tomas Telis, who blasted a solo home run to center field in the seventh inning.
HICKORY, NC - The Crawdads have won their last five series and have earned victories in the first three games of their current four-game set with the Kannapolis Intimidators. During that span, Hickory has gotten terrific efforts from starters Justin Grimm (2-0, 3.17 ERA in last four starts) and Roman Mendez (4-0, 1.69, 17 K), and they lead the South Atlantic League with 18 wins.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 3, 2011
- Legends Take Two, Move into First Place - Lexington Legends
- Gnats Hand Lakewood 4-3 Win Tuesday - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Unanswered Runs Haunt GreenJackets in Sweep - Augusta GreenJackets
- Crawdads Vs. Kannapolis Cancelled Due to Rain - Hickory Crawdads
- BlueClaws Avoid Being Swept 4-3 in Series Finale - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Tonight's game in Hickory cancelled - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Drive Chase Tourists out of Town with 13-5 Win - Greenville Drive
- Gnats Game Notes: Tuesday, May 3 at Lakewood - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Crawdads Weekly - First-Place 'Dads Lead SAL in Wins - Hickory Crawdads
- West Virginia-Greensboro Postponed - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Hit a Home Run for Arts in Schools - Charleston RiverDogs
- Machado Named Orioles Minor League Player of the Month - Delmarva Shorebirds
- RiverDogs Shutout Shorebirds 11-0 in Finale - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Beatles Tribute Band Coming to FirstEnergy Park July 15th - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Five Run Seventh Hurts Braves - Rome Emperors
- Greene Spectacular, 'Dogs Answer Back, Shutout Delmarva, 11-0 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Gnats Partner with City Church to Help Southeast Storm Victims - Savannah Sand Gnats
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