'Dads Power past West Virginia for 8-0 Shutout
Published on May 30, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
HICKORY, NC - The Hickory Crawdads put on a power and pitching display with their fifth shutout victory, 8-0, against the West Virginia Power before 1,798 fans at Appalachian Power Park in West Virginia on Sunday afternoon. The Crawdads lead in the Northern Division is now at four games over the Hagerstown Suns, who play at 7:05 p.m. Sunday night.
The Crawdads (32-19) started hot and never cooled down. With two outs in the top of the first, C Zach Zaneski walked to extend the inning and LF Cristian Santana rewarded Zaneski's efforts with a two-run bomb to left field. Santana's homer, his second in the last two games, ties CF Miguel Velazquez (not in the lineup) for the team lead in homers with eight and put the 'Dads up, 2-0.
The Power (23-27) threatened in the bottom of the first against starter RHP Neil Ramirez (5-3, 4.80 ERA). After walking CF Evan Chambers and DH Aaron Baker, Ramirez hit 1B Kyle Morgan in the back to load the bases with two outs. However, Ramirez was able to strike out LF Rogelios Noris to get out of the inning unscathed.
Hickory continued to hit Power starter Kyle McPherson (3-5, 4.00 ERA) hard in the second inning. 3B Matt West led off the frame with a stand up double to left-center. One out later, 1B Mike Ortiz slugged his first home run of the season to extend the 'Dads lead to 4-0.
Ramirez quieted West Virginia's bats, allowing just two hits and three walks with seven strikeouts in six shutout innings to earn the win for Hickory.
The Crawdads tacked on four more insurance runs in the seventh against reliever RHP Ryan Kelly. SS Edwin Garcia led the inning off by reaching second on a single and an error. Ortiz followed with a single to center to put runners on the corners with no outs for CF Joe Bonadonna, who launched the ball over the wall in left for his first career home run, driving in three. LF Ed Koncel pushed across the final run of the game on an RBI double to left-center, scoring RF Jared Prince from second and rounding out the scoring at 8-0.
Hickory relievers LHP Chad Bell and RHP Braden Tullis combined for three scoreless innings to keep the shutout alive for the Crawdads. McPherson took the loss for West Virginia. The Crawdads had their leadoff man get a hit in five of nine innings, including the first three.
Crawdads Clippings: The Crawdads look to take the series on Monday afternoon against the West Virginia Power at 1:05 p.m. Catch all the action live on The Big Dawg 92.1FM and Hickorycrawdads.com, and be sure to tune in 15 minutes early for Crawdads Countdown!
The Crawdads return home on Saturday, June 5 to host the Lexington Legends for a four-game series. That Saturday is Madison Bumgarner Bobblehead Night! The first 1,000 fans through the gates will receieve a FREE Madison Bumgarner Bobblehead, compliments of Galaxy Food Stores, Ken's Dressings and Marinades, and KICKS 103.3FM. Gates open at 6 p.m., first pitch is at 7 p.m. Tickets are going fast, so make sure to pick yours up today and get to the game early!
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.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 30, 2010
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- Suns Fall to Drive, 6-1 - Hagerstown Suns
- Braves and Gnats Split - Rome Emperors
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- Paredes Leads Charleston to Doubleheader Split Against Kannapolis - Charleston RiverDogs
- Intimidators Split DH, Win 7-1, Lose 10-6 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Legends top 'Hoppers, 7-3 - Lexington Legends
- 'Dads Power past West Virginia for 8-0 Shutout - Hickory Crawdads
- Power Shut Out by Hickory, 8-0 - Charleston Dirty Birds
- BlueClaws Come Back on the Road, 4-3 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- BlueClaws Steal Game Three, 4-3 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Shorebirds Game Notes For Sunday, Versus Lakewood - Delmarva Shorebirds
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