'Dads Outslugged by 'Dogs in 17-10 Defeat
Published on May 25, 2014 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory, NC - The Hickory Crawdads found themselves in a true slugfest Sunday night against the Charleston RiverDogs with the final score more closely resembling a football game than the national pastime, but in the end the hot hitting 'Dads were outslugged in a 17-10 loss to the 'Dogs.
Playing in front of 3,823 fans at L.P. Frans Stadium, the Crawdads and RiverDogs put on an impressive offensive display that included 27 total runs, 32 combined hits, and 7 home runs between the two clubs. Leading the offensive barrage was Charleston DH Mike Ford, who tied two South Atlantic League records with four home runs and 16 total bases.
Eight of the nine Hickory batters ended the game with a hit, with five players having a multi-hit game. The Crawdads attack was paced by Ryan Cordell, who followed up his 4-4 game on Saturday with a 3-5 performance that included his 3rd home run of the year, a double and two runs scored. Evan Van Hoosier went 1-4 with a grand slam home run and a 'Dads season-high five RBI.
The RiverDogs jumped on the Crawdads early with a run in the 2nd, four in the 3rd, and two in the top of the 4th for a 7-0 lead. The early output chased Hickory starting pitcher Akeem Bostick after 2.1 innings, with five runs allowed, four earned, on six hits, three walks and three strikeouts. The final two runs of the early volley came on the first of Ford's four long balls, a two run shot to right.
The Crawdads answered with their most explosive inning of the year in the bottom of the 4th, as the 'Dads erupted for seven runs on nine hits to tie the game at 7-7. The 'Dads sent 12 total batters to the plate in the big frame, with both Joe Jackson and Cordell picking up a pair of hits. Following a 2-RBI single from Ronald Guzman and a RBI base knock by Jairo Beras, Van Hoosier delivered the decisive blow with a game-tying grand slam to left.
The tie would last until the 6th, when Charleston got to Hickory reliever Paul Schwendel with back-to-back solo homers by Aaron Judge and Ford to re-take the lead at 9-7. The RiverDogs then exploded for a seven run inning of their own in the 7th to make the score 16-7. The 'Dogs also sent 12 men to the plate in the frame with five hits, including a solo big fly to right by Ford.
The Crawdads put together a 2-run 8th inning to cut the score to 16-9, before solo homers by Ford in the top of the 9th and Cordell in the bottom of the inning finished the scoring at 17-10.
Ford's 4-homer game was just the third such game in SAL history, tying Pat Garman of Gastonia in 1988 and Anthony Mongeluzzo of Savannah in 2002.
Charleston reliever Angel Rincon (1-0) earned the win with 3.2 shutout innings, allowing three hits and no walks while striking out three. Schwendel (0-1) took the loss for the 'Dads after allowing four runs on five hits over his 3.2 frames.
Despite the loss, the Crawdads (23-25) split their 4-game series with the RiverDogs (25-23) with two games apiece. The 'Dads will now welcome in the Kannapolis Intimidators for a three game series, beginning Monday night with a 6:00 pm first pitch.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 25, 2014
- 'Dads Outslugged by 'Dogs in 17-10 Defeat - Hickory Crawdads
- GreenJackets Defeat Drive, 7-5 - Greenville Drive
- Ford Hits a Record Four Homers to Win Series Finale - Charleston RiverDogs
- Tourists Suffer Jaw-Dropping Loss to Suns, 6-5 - Asheville Tourists
- Suns Walk-Off with Win, Series over Tourists - Hagerstown Suns
- Savannah Wins Slugfest over Legends, 11-6 - Lexington Legends
- Gnats Hit Legends Hard in 11-6 Victory - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Tough Day for the Braves, lose 12-2 - Rome Emperors
- Delmarva Sweeps Kannapolis with 5-2 Win - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Shorebirds Complete Sweep of Kannapolis - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Six Run 8th Gives Power a 7-1 Win on Sunday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Power Breaks Open Close Game in Eighth - Charleston Dirty Birds
- WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Shorebirds Game Notes vs. Kannapolis - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Tough Start Leads to 7-3 Loss - Asheville Tourists
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.
