SAL1 Hickory Crawdads

'Dads Ride Emilis Express to Win

Published on August 24, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release


In an emergency start, Hickory's Emilis Guerrero dazzled for the Crawdads on Sunday, leading Hickory to a 5-2 win over the Asheville Tourists. Guerrero continued what has been an outstanding week for Hickory pitching, twirling seven shutout innings after he was added to the roster before the game in place of injured RHP Bryan Morris.

The right-hander entered the game having bounced around five different levels of the Pirates organization this season and having only registered an 0-3 record with a 7.09 ERA with Hickory. Sunday would prove to be Guerrero's masterpiece, though, allowing just one walk and scattering six hits against two strikeouts in the blanking of the offense averaging the second-most runs per game in the league.

Assisting Guerrero offensively was Erik Huber, who put the Crawdads (20-43, 50-83) ahead with a two-run home run in the first inning, using his team-leading 12th big fly of the season to establish a lead the 'Dads would never relinquish.

Hickory later added insurance in the seventh, when Silvio Pena drove in Austin McClune -- fresh off a triple -- with a sacrifice fly. Further in the frame, Keanon Simon plated Greg Picart with an RBI double to give the 'Dads a 4-0 lead.

Asheville (35-28, 81-52) finally cut into the Hickory stronghold with a Jeffrey Cunningham two-run blast in the eighth inning, his team-best 18th of the year and second in two nights, both coming in the eighth frame.

But Matt Hague's solo home run to lead off Hickory's half of the eighth ensured the lead and set the final 5-2 margin.

Guerrero earned the win, improving to 1-3 with the Crawdads. Tourists starter Bruce Billings fell to 9-11 with the loss, surrendering four runs (all earned) on five hits and three walks, striking out five in 6.1 innings. Victor Igsema allowed the two runs in the eighth (both unearned after a two-out error), but would pitch a perfect ninth for the 'Dads in slamming the door.

Crawdads pitchers now sport a 1.74 ERA in their last seven games, allowing just 12 earned runs in their last 62 innings of work.

Huber finished with three hits for Hickory, while Jordy Mercer had two. Cunningham, Bo Bowman and Michael Mitchell each had a pair of hits for Asheville.

The teams conclude their season series of 16 games Monday night at 7. LHP Michael Felix (4-6, 5.56 ERA) takes the mound for the Crawdads against Tourists RHP Connor Graham (11-6, 2.29 ERA), as Hickory looks to take just its second series over Asheville this year.

For tickets and more information, call the Crawdads at (828) 322-3000 or visit www.hickorycrawdads.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 24, 2008


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