SAL1 Hickory Crawdads

'Dads Derail Tourists, 5-2, Before 3,434 Fans

Published on April 12, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release


HICKORY, NC - The Hickory Crawdads won their 2012 Home Opener, 5-2, against the Asheville Tourists before 3,434 fans at L.P. Frans Stadium on Thursday night.

The Tourists (4-4) took an early lead against LHP Victor Payano and the Crawdads (6-2) in the top of the first inning. LF Delta Cleary, Jr. led off with a well-placed double to shallow right field. Cleary moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by CF Brian Humphries, before coming home on an RBI sacrifice fly by 2B Sam Mende for the early 1-0 lead.

Hickory, however, came right back in the bottom of the second against RHP Chris Jenson. RF Zach Cone swung at the inning's second pitch and launched a solo home run over the left field wall to tie the game, 1-1.

The Crawdads quickly moved in front in the bottom of the third with a two-out rally. With two down and no one on, SS Luis Sardinas worked a walk to extend the frame. Sardinas swiped his way to second base, and then raced home on an RBI single by LF Chris Grayson, lifting Hickory in front, 2-1.

The Tourists refused to stay down for long, tying the game in the top of the fourth inning. With one away, RF David Kandilas drew a walk and raced to third on a pair of stolen bases. Later in the inning, Kandilas opportunistically charged home on a wild pitch from Payano, tying the game again, 2-2.

Hickory RHP Arlett Mavare (W, 1-1) logged three scoreless innings from the sixth through the eighth, keeping the score tied before the 'Dads struck again in the bottom of the eighth inning. 2B Rougned Odor singled to start the frame, chasing RHP Rafael Suarez (L, 0-1) from the mound. RHP Jefri Hernandez took over for Asheville and dealt a pair of wild pitches against Cone, allowing Odor to move all the way to third. Hernandez dug in and struck out Cone and Alfaro back-to-back, but CF Jordan Akins placed an RBI single through the right side of the infield to plate Alfaro for the 3-2 lead. 3B Drew Robinson followed with a single, putting runners at first and second for 1B Trever Adams. Adams grounded an RBI infield single inside the first base line, on which Akins rounded third and attempted to score, drawing an errant throw home from 1B Tyler Massey to allow Robinson to race home as well, capping the 'Dads lead at 5-2.

LHP Greg Williams (S, 1) took over on the mound for the 'Dads and dealt a scoreless top of the ninth, closing the 5-2 win for Hickory.

Crawdads Clippings:

All the Opening Weekend FUN continues on Friday, April 13 with Grand Opening Fireworks, presented by Crowne Plaza, Mister Tuxedo and The Big Dawg 92.1FM, and a 7 p.m. first pitch.

Then, on Sat., April 14, it's Eric Church Bobblehead Giveaway for the first 1,000 fans with a paid admission, courtesy of Galaxy, Ragu and KICKS 103.3FM. First pitch will be 6 p.m. that Saturday, with gates opening at 5 p.m.

Get Tickets:

Individual Tickets for all Crawdads home games are available right now at Hickorycrawdads.com or by calling (828) 322-3000! Group outings, corporate partnerships, Levine Children's Hospital Claw Club memberships and Ticket Books for the 20th Anniversary Season are also available right now by calling the Front Office at (828) 322-3000.

Check out the Hickory Crawdads Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from April 12, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central