Crazy eights: Hickory wins eighth straight, 7-5
Published on May 20, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory continued its season-best run with a home win Tuesday night, beginning an eight-game homestand with its eighth victory in row. The Crawdads defeated Columbus, 7-5, Hickory's fourth straight win over the Catfish. Hickory's streak is its longest since winning 10 in a row July 17-26 last season and is the third-best run in the South Atlantic League this year.
The Crawdads (24-22) used the big bats of Bobby Spain and Marcus Davis to power their latest victory, as each hit crucial two-run home runs in defeating the Catfish (19-26).
After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the second inning thanks to a Reid Fronk RBI double and Omar Luna RBI single, Hickory took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of frame and never looked back.
Spain's two-run blast, his third of the season, tied the game at 2-2 before Jose De Los Santos later drove in Keanon Simon with a single to break the tie.
Hickory extended its lead to 6-2 in the third thanks to an Erik Huber RBI double and Davis' long ball, hit the opposite way on an 0-2 curve ball for his team-leading eighth home run of the year.
The 'Dads final run came on a Miles Durham sacrifice fly in the fourth and Hickory would need all the insurance it could muster after Columbus used another Luna RBI single and Fronk two-run home run to cut the score to the final 7-5 tally. Fronk finished 3-for-3 with three runs and three RBIs, falling a triple shy of the cycle.
With Crawdads starter Rafael De Los Santos leaving the game after throwing 80 pitches in four innings, Hickory reliever Michael Felix earned the win with two scoreless innings. He improved to 3-1 on the season. Woods Fines took the loss (0-1) in his first start of the season, allowing seven runs (all earned) and 10 hits in four innings. Tom Boleska threw a 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure his fourth save of the season, all in his last four chances.
Hickory's eight-game run sits behind only Charleston and Augusta's matching nine-game winning streaks in 2008, a mark the Crawdads will shoot for Wednesday night.
Tuesday's win marked Hickory's fourth in a row over Columbus, as the Crawdads took the final three of a four-game series at the Catfish last week.
RHP Bradley Clapp (0-3, 4.34 ERA) will take the mound for Hickory on Wednesday against LHP Brian Flores (3-1, 2.60), with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are available right here at www.hickorycrawdads.com or by calling (828) 322-3000.
GAME NOTES: Game time was 2:32. Attendance was 612. ...In its eight-game run, Hickory has won six of the games by two runs or fewer. The other two finals were 10-2 and 14-2. ...Marcus Davis and Bobby Spain now each have two home runs against Columbus in five games this season. ...Hickory has scored 45 of its last 51 runs in the first five innings of the game. ...The Catfish's Reid Fronk is now 9-for-17 with 3 runs, 3 HR and 8 RBIs in five games against the Crawdads. Omar Luna had gone 0-12 against Hickory this year before his 2-4 night. ...In their last nine games, the Crawdads have averaged exactly 7 runs and 11 hits per game. Tuesday's totals were 7 runs and 10 hits.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 20, 2008
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- Power defeat Captains in twelve - Charleston Dirty Birds
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- Tourists hit high water mark with 10-2 win over Rome - Asheville Tourists
- BlueClaws start series with 3-1 loss to Greensboro - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Kaminska No-Hits Lakewood Through Six Complete - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Jackets Open Home Stand With Win - Augusta GreenJackets
- Crazy eights: Hickory wins eighth straight, 7-5 - Hickory Crawdads
- I's Slow 'Birds Bats, 3-1 in Series Opener - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Intimidators Take Series Opener In Delmarva 3-1 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- General Hospital Star Thompson to Replace Mathison on June 8th - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Sand Gnats To Host Coastal All-Star Game This Weekend - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Greensboro Game Notes - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Captains Approach Record Setting Milestone - Lake County Captains
- Legends Lose 3 of 4 to Lake County - Lexington Legends
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