'Dads Beat Asheville 5-3, Extend Win Streak to Nine
May 5, 2010 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
HICKORY, NC - The Hickory Crawdads exploded for five runs in the third inning and rode that lead the rest of the way, defeating the Asheville Tourists, 5-3, before 874 fans at L.P. Frans Stadium on Wednesday night. Hickory maintains their spot atop the Northern Division with the victory, their ninth in a row, the team's longest winning streak since July 2007.
With two outs in the bottom of the third and 2B Edwin Garcia on base, DH Jared Prince singled to right to keep the inning alive for CF Miguel Velazquez. Asheville starter LHP Jonathan Vargas' (0-3, 5.64 ERA) offering to Velazquez was mashed deep to left field for a three-run homer, his team-leading sixth of the season. 3B Matt West kept the spark alive for the Crawdads (17-10), smacking a triple over the outstretched glove of CF Eliezer Mesa. The next batter, last night's hero, LF Cristian Santana gave the fans an encore, hitting a two-run shot to left to give Hickory a 5-0 lead.
The Tourists (9-17) got on the board with an unearned run against LHP Robbie Ross (3-3) in the top of the fourth. Ross tossed six-plus innings in total, surrendering just the one unearned tally on seven hits, while striking out four to earn the win for Hickory.
Ross and RHP Kyle Ocampo quieted Asheville's bats during the next four innings, before the Tourists struck for two runs in the ninth. After LF Tyler Massey singled and DH Orlando Sandoval reached on an error, SS Joe Scott doubled to left center to bring the Tourists within two. Ocampo then induced a lineout and a flyout to close out the Crawdads win, 5-3, and record his first save.
Vargas picked up the loss for Asheville, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three.
Crawdads Clippings: The Crawdads go for their tenth straight win on Thursday against the Asheville Tourists at 7 p.m. (gates open at 6 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.
Get Tickets: Single game tickets for all Crawdads games are on sale now 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 office, located at 2500 Clement Blvd. NW or by calling (828) 322-3000.
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South Atlantic League Stories from May 5, 2010
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- Shorebirds Fall in Extra Innings, 1-0 - Delmarva Shorebirds
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- Rome Braves Make Additional Roster Moves - Rome Emperors
- Stoneburner Silences BlueClaws in Matinee - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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