'Dads Rally in 9th, Beat Legends 8-7
Published on June 9, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
LEXINGTON, KY - The Hickory Crawdads came racing back with four runs in the top of the ninth to claim the 8-7 come-from-behind win against the Lexington Legends on Thursday, before 6,480 fans at Whitaker Bank Ballpark in Lexington. Hickory has won four in a row, and trail the 1st-place Hagerstown Suns by only 2.5 games with 10 games remaining in the first half.
After a scoreless first inning, the Crawdads (33-26) took an early lead against RHP Michael Fultynewicz in the top of the second inning. Fultynewicz retired the first two that he faced in the frame, but RF Josh Richmond belted the Crawdads in front with a two-out, solo homer to left field, putting Hickory up, 1-0.
The Legends (28-32) tied it up with a tally in the bottom of the third inning against RHP Roman Mendez. With one away, SS Jiovanni Mier and RF Adam Bailey hit consecutive singles, putting runners at the corners. Mendez then plunked DH Chris Wallace to load the bases, before 3B Mike Kvasnicka placed an RBI single up the middle to bring in Mier and tie it, 1-1.
Lexington scored three more against Mendez through the fifth inning, opening a 4-1 lead. However, the 'Dads kept it close with an RBI single by 1B Andrew Clark in the top of the sixth, making it 4-2.
The Legends again tried to pull away with a run in the bottom of the sixth and then two more in a bases-loaded rally in the bottom of the seventh against RHP Ben Rowen. With one run already in and the bases loaded in the seventh, RHP Jorge Marban (W, 1-0) took over and, after walking in the frame's second run, struck out Mier and Bailey to end the inning with Lexington ahead, 7-2.
Hickory started chipping away at its biggest deficit of the night right away in the top of the eighth against RHP Brian Streilein. With one down, 2B Odubel Herrera and C Tomas Telis knocked consecutive singles to reach second and first base, respectively. 3B Christian Villanueva then drove an RBI single to score Herrera and move Telis to second. Clark flied out to center field next, and Telis tagged up and headed for third. As CF Emilio King's throw went to third, Villanueva broke for second base from first. After Telis slid in safely at third, Kvasnicka tried to throw out Villanueva at second but fired the ball into right field, enabling Telis to pop up and come in from third, cutting the deficit to 7-4.
The Crawdads completed the comeback and took their first lead since the top of the third in the ninth inning against RHP Jorge DeLeon (L, 1-3). With the bases empty and one away, LF Jake Skole reached base on a throwing error charged to 2B Delino DeShields, Jr. 1B Jhonny Gomez joined Skole on board with a walk, before CF Teodoro Martinez struck out for the second out in the inning. SS Jurickson Profar bounced an RBI single through the right side of the infield, bringing in Skole and moving Gomez to third. Gomez then scored on an RBI base hit by Herrera that also advanced Profar to third. Profar quickly raced home on a passed ball charged to C Roberto Pena to tie the game, which also moved Herrera to second base. Telis lifted Hickory into the lead with an RBI single to right-center field, scoring Herrera and putting the Crawdads into the 8-7 lead.
The Legends threatened a comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning, getting runners to the corners with two outs against RHP Ryan Rodebaugh (S, 8). With a chance to tie the game, Mier ripped a high line drive towards right-center field, but Herrera brought it in with a leaping grab on the right side of the infield, ending the game and closing the 8-7 win for Hickory.
Crawdads Clippings:
The Crawdads continue the series in Lexington on Friday at 7:05 p.m. Catch all the action live on The Big Dawg 92.1FM and Hickorycrawdads.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for Crawdads Countdown!
The 'Dads return home on Thursday, June 16 against the Charleston RiverDogs. It will be Thirsty Thursday, presented by Buffalo Wild Wings and The Big Dawg 92.1FM, with $1 can beers and Pepsis! Also, don't miss the post-game concert by Norva Jean Dreams! First pitch is at 7 p.m., gates open at 6 p.m.
Get Tickets:
Individual tickets, corporate partnerships, group outings and ticket plans for the 2011 season are available right now at the Crawdads Front Office or by calling (828) 322-3000. You can even purchase and print your tickets from the comfort of your home on Hickorycrawdads.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 9, 2011
- 'Dads Rally in 9th, Beat Legends 8-7 - Hickory Crawdads
- Hickory Overcomes Five-Run Deficit, Beats Legends 8-7 - Lexington Legends
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- Tourists Top 'Dogs, 5-4, in a Thriller - Charleston RiverDogs
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- Gnats Game Notes: Thursday, June 9 Vs. Augusta - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
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