'Dads Finish 4-Game Sweep with 8-1 Win
June 12, 2016 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory Crawdads Exchange Congratulations
(Hickory Crawdads)
Kannapolis, NC - The Hickory Crawdads finished off a 4-game sweep of the Kannapolis Intimidators with the first lopsided victory of the series Sunday evening, as the 'Dads jumped out to an early lead and ran away with an 8-1 win at Intimidators Stadium.
After taking the first three games in Kannapolis by scores on 1-0, 2-1, and 7-5, the Crawdads scored 4 runs in the 2nd inning, 1 in the 3rd & 6th, and 2 in the 7th to cruise to a 7-run victory. All 9 Hickory hitters reached base safely at least once in the route, with three batters finishing with a multi-hit game.
The win stretches the 'Dads season-best road winning streak to 7 straight games, while also keeping the club within 2.5 games of 1st place Hagerstown in the first half Northern Division race with 8 games remaining before the All-Star break.
The Crawdads attempted to take any sort of drama from the game early, as the 'Dads struck for 4 runs on 4 hits and two errors in the 2nd inning. Tyler Sanchez led off the frame by reaching on a fielding error by Kannapolis shortstop Johan Cruz before scoring one batter later on an RBI double to left from Chuck Moorman. Following a strikeout by Connor McKay, Ti'Quan Forbes delivered an RBI single to right to plate the frame's second run. Jose Almonte followed with a groundball single to center and a steal of second base that also saw Intimidators catcher Seby Zavala throw the ball into center field for an error that allowed Forbes to score. Frandy De La Rosa capped off the big inning with an RBI base knock to left to put Hickory ahead 4-0.
The 'Dads stretched their lead to 5-0 one inning later on a solo home run over the right field fence by Dylan Moore. The long ball was the third of the season for Moore, his first since April 11.
Kannapolis got on the board with their lone run against Crawdads starter Pedro Payano in the 4th, as the Intimidators got a bases loaded, 2-out, RBI single from Tyler Sullivan to cut the score to 5-1. Payano was able to minimize the damage and escape the frame with a strikeout of Grant Massey before collecting two more Ks in a scoreless 5th to end his outing.
Hickory kept the offense rolling with another run in the 6th on walks by both Sanchez and McKay followed by an RBI groundout from Forbes, before the 'Dads plated their last two tallies on a 2-RBI double by Josh Altmann in the 7th for the final 8-1 lead the club would win by.
Payano (2-2) earned the win for Hickory, as the All-Star right-hander worked around early command issues to go 5 strong innings with 1 run allowed on 7 hits, 3 walks, and 6 strikeouts. Relievers Omarlin Lopez (3 IP, 4 Ks) and Jeffrey Springs (1 IP, 2 Ks) combined to shutout the Intimidators over the final 4 innings. Kannapolis starter Luis Martinez (1-6) took the loss after giving up 5 runs, 4 earned, on 7 hits and 4 strikeouts over 4 IP.
De La Rosa led the 'Dads bats with a 3-4 game including an RBI and a run scored, while Forbes finished 2-4 with 2 RBI and a run scored. Almonte also posted a multi-hit game going 2-4 with a double and a run scored, while Altmann ended the night 1-5 with a double and 2 RBI.
The Crawdads (37-25) will now head to Greenville for a 3-game series against the Drive. First pitch Monday night is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
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 Hickory Crawdads Exchange Congratulations |
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