SAL1 Hickory Crawdads

'Dads Come from Behind to Defeat Legends 4-2

July 28, 2015 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release


Lexington, KY- Crawdads closer Scott Williams struck out the side in the ninth, leaving the bases full of Lexington Legends to secure Hickory's fifth consecutive victory by a final of 4-2. With Monday's win, the 'Dads claimed a second consecutive road series and ran the South Atlantic League's longest active winning streak to five in a row.

The Crawdads used a similar script in game three of the series, falling behind in the early innings only to respond both quickly and decisively in claiming victory. Hickory scored four unanswered runs in the middle innings, then held on late for the win.

Hickory pitchers surrendered a combined eleven hits on Monday, yet kept the Legends off the scoreboard in every inning except the third. By leaving the bases loaded in the ninth, Lexington stranded ten runners on the night.

Shortstop Josh Morgan ignited both Crawdads rallies with leadoff singles in the fourth and sixth innings. He would score both times and the 'Dads would plate a pair of runs in each frame.

Edwin Garcia added a second chapter in his remarkable return to Hickory with a 3-for-4 performance in which he drove in half of Hickory's run total and scored another. Before grounding out to the shortstop in his final at bat of the night, Garcia had reached in eight straight plate appearances to begin his tenure with the club. In just two games the infielder is 8-for-9 with a double, six runs batted in and three runs scored.

Jairo Beras drove in a run while providing the visitors lone extra base hit of the night with two outs in the fourth. Eduard Pinto also contributed a bunt single and a run scored in the decisive sixth inning.

In total, the Crawdads secured nine hits and left six runners stranded. Morgan and Garcia logged the club's only multi-hit performances.

With his strikeout of Chad Johnson to end it, Williams (S, 4) finished what surprise starter Luis Parra (W, 1-0) began. Parra struck out three batters and allowed just the two runs across five complete frames to pick up the win in his first start of the season for the Crawdads. Williams' dramatic save kept the hard throwing righty a perfect 4-for-4 in the closer's role. Kelvin Vasquez (H, 1) also earned his first hold of the season, working three solid innings to serve as a bridge between the two.

The Crawdads beat a top rated Royals prospect for the third consecutive night as Pedro Fernandez (L, 6-2) was saddled with only his second loss of the year. Fernandez, who showed glimpses of dominance early, lasted just five and two-thirds and was responsible for all four runs.

The 'Dads conclude both the Lexington series and the road trip tomorrow night. Monday's originally scheduled starter Nick Gardewine (5-7, 4.38) faces off against Legends right-hander Yunoir Marte (4-0, 4.42). The finale is scheduled for a 7:05 pm.

Check out the Hickory Crawdads Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from July 28, 2015


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