Crawdads Weekly - First-Place 'Dads Riding A Season-High Seven-Game Winning Streak
May 4, 2010 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory, N.C. - The first-place Hickory Crawdads extended their seven-game winning streak with a 6-1 victory against the Asheville Tourists on Monday night. Hickory has now won 10 of its last 13 games and went 6-2 on their road trip last week.
1B Mike Ortiz was named the South Atlantic League Player of the Week for the week of April 26 - May 2. Hickory is currently perched atop the Northern Division with a record of 15-10. The 'Dads are a half-game ahead of both the Delmarva Shorebirds and Hagerstown Suns.
THIS WEEK (ALL TIMES EASTERN):
Tuesday, May 4 vs. Asheville (7 p.m.)
Wednesday, May 5 vs. Asheville (7 p.m.)
Thursday, May 6 vs. Asheville (7 p.m.)
Friday, May 7 vs. Greenville (7 p.m.)
Saturday, May 8 vs. Greenville (7 p.m.)
Sunday, May 9 vs. Greenville (5 p.m.)
Monday, May 10 vs. Greenville (11 a.m.)
WEEK IN REVIEW (Home team in CAPS):
Tuesday, April 27
Crawdads 4 vs. SAVANNAH 3
CF Miguel Velazquez collects three hits and drives in all four of the team's runs, missing the cycle by a triple. RHP Josh Lueke picks up his league-leading sixth save.
Wednesday, April 28
Crawdads 7 vs. CHARLESTON 5
The Crawdads score five runs in the top of the ninth to take a 7-5 lead. In five games played against the RiverDogs, it's the third late-game comeback win for Hickory. RHP Josh Lueke records his league-leading seventh save.
Thursday, April 29
Crawdads 4 vs. CHARLESTON 0
LHP Robbie Ross and RHP Braden Tullis combine to allow just three hits against Charleston. Ross went six scoreless innings with Tullis picking up the remaining three. CF Miguel Velazquez hits his team-leading fourth homer.
Friday, April 30
Crawdads 9 vs. CHARLESTON 2
The 'Dads strike for eight runs from the fourth inning on. DH Cody Podraza, 1B Mike Ortiz, and 2B Joe Bonadonna each went 2-for-4. RHP Wilmer Font picks up his team-leading third win.
Saturday, May 1
Crawdads 1 vs. CHARLESTON 0
Hickory extends winning streak to six games and takes sole possession of first place in the Northern Division with their second shutout in the last three games and sixth win in a row to wrap up the trip. RHP Matt Thompson pitched five scoreless innings and LHP Robbie Erlin followed with three scoreless frames. 2B Joe Bonadonna made a mid-air catch, diving into the stands in the ninth to help RHP Josh Lueke hold on for his league-leading eighth save.
Monday, May 3
CRAWDADS 6 vs. Asheville 1
CF Miguel Velazquez cranks his team-leading fifth home run and pushes his RBI total up to 19. Starter RHP Neil Ramirez allowed just one run in six stellar innings and struck out nine Tourists, while LHP Chad Bell and RHP Andrew Doyle combined for three perfect innings to close the game and extend the winning streak to seven straight.
PLAYER AND TEAM NOTES:
~Hickory has won seven straight games, and 10 of their last 13. It is the team's longest winning streak since the 2008 season, when Hickory won eight in a row from May 13-20.
~1B Mike Ortiz was named SAL Offensive Player of the Week for the week of April 26 - May 2.
~1B Mike Ortiz has hit in five straight games, going 13-for-25 in that period with four doubles and four RBIs.
~CF Cody Podraza is currently on a season-high nine-game hitting streak, going 17-for-36 over that span with three doubles and four RBIs.
~The Crawdads currently have a road record of 10-6 and a home record of 5-4.
~CF Miguel Velazquez is among the top-10 players in the SAL in homers (5), slugging percentage (.589), total bases (53), and on-base plus slugging percentage (.971).
~RHP Neil Ramirez has won his last three decisions, lowering his ERA from 11.12 to 6.17 in his last four appearances.
THIRSTY THURSDAY , SCHEDULE POSTER GIVEAWAY, AND LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY HIGHLIGHT UPCOMING PROMOS NEXT HOMESTAND:
The Crawdads offer two great ticket deals every Tuesday! The 'Dads offer Dollar Day, giving fans the ability to buy one Grandstand ticket and get a second for just $1. There are also several food and merchandise items around the ballpark sold for just a buck! KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets gets you one FREE ticket with the purchase of a full-priced ticket when you bring a KRAFT singles wrapper to the Ticket Office. Tuesday is also a Salute to Brett Favre - all fans that are named Brett or wear a Favre jersey get a free ticket.. Gates open at 6 p.m., first pitch is at 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, 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 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, Whitfield's Florist, and KICKS 103.3 FM. 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. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a FREE 2010 Crawdads Poster Schedule 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.
On Saturday, the first 1,000 fans receive a Crawdads Long Sleeve T-Shirt compliments of Nissin, Galaxy Foods Center, 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. Prior to the game, the Crawdads and Fleet Feet will be hosting the annual Home Run Trot 5K Race at L.P. Frans Stadium. Gates open at 6 p.m., first pitch is at 7 p.m.
Sunday is Mother's Day, so bring Mom out to the ballpark for a FREE ticket and a yellow rose courtesy of Whitfield's Florist and 106.9 The Light. 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 a $5 Box Seat ticket 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:
RHP Josh Lueke - 17.42 strikeouts per nine innings (1st relievers)
RHP Josh Lueke - 8 saves (1st)
LHP Robbie Erlin - 1 run allowed (T-1st)
LHP Robbie Erlin - 5.87 baserunners allowed per nine innings (1st relievers)
LHP Robbie Erlin - .135 batting avg. allowed (3rd relievers)
RHP Trevor Hurley - 6.28 baserunners allowed per nine innings (2nd relievers)
RHP Wilmer Font, RHP Neil Ramirez - 3 wins (T-2nd)
RHP Matt Thompson - 10.44 strikeouts per nine innings (3rd starters)
RHP Hector Nelo - 0.75 walks allowed per nine innings (4th relievers)
Batting:
CF Miguel Velazquez - 53 total bases (T-2nd)
CF Miguel Velazquez - .971 on base plus slugging percentage (3rd)
CF Miguel Velazquez - 5 home runs (T-3rd)
CF Miguel Velazquez - .589 slugging percentage (T-3rd)
CF Miguel Velazquez - 19 runs batted in (T-6th)
SS Leury Garcia - 10 stolen bases (T-3rd)
LF Cristian Santana and INF Ed Koncel - 3 home runs (T-5th)
CF Cody Podraza - .416 on-base percentage (7th)
CRAWDADS LEADERS:
Batting Average- CF Cody Podraza (.326)
Home Runs- CF Miguel Velazquez (5)
RBI- CF Miguel Velazquez (19)
Stolen Bases - SS Leury Garcia (10)
Walks - C Vinny DiFazio (12)
Wins - RHP Wilmer Font (3)
ERA - RHP Josh Lueke (0.00)
Strikeouts - RHP Matt Thompson (29)
Saves - RHP Josh Lueke (8)
Innings Pitched - RHP Matt Thompson (25.0)
South Atlantic League Stories from May 4, 2010
- Santana's Walk-Off Homer in 13th Punctuates 'Dads Eighth Straight Win - Hickory Crawdads
- Intimidators Top Legends, 8-1 - Lexington Legends
- Power Shut Out Greensboro, 5-0 - Charleston Dirty Birds
- BlueClaws Double Charleston, 6-3 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Intimidators Take Win Streak to Four - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Drive Swept by GreenJackets in Pitchers' Duel Doubleheader - Greenville Drive
- Salsbury One-Hitter Highlights Twinbill Sweep - Augusta GreenJackets
- Lakewood Muzzles Charleston, Evens Series, 6-3 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Gnats Game Wrap: Gnats Blow Out Birds 12-4 Tuesday Morning - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Crawdads Weekly - First-Place 'Dads Riding A Season-High Seven-Game Winning Streak - Hickory Crawdads
- Suns Rally Late To Defeat Rome 11-5 - Hagerstown Suns
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Hagerstown Wins Second in a Row over Rome - Rome Emperors
- Shorebirds Drop 12-4 Decision On Tuesday - Delmarva Shorebirds
- BlueClaws To Host Sports Networking Event June 17th - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Gnats Game Notes - Savannah Sand Gnats
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