'Dads Sweep Doubleheader in Kannapolis
Published on April 17, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory, NC -The Hickory Crawdads showed no signs of rust Friday night after consecutive rainouts, as the 'Dads played their first game in three days and came away with a sweep of their doubleheader against the Kannapolis Intimidators with 9-5 and 5-1 wins at CMC-NorthEast Stadium.
Game one saw the Crawdads score in four of their seven innings, plating two in the 2nd, five in the 3rd, and one run in both the 4th and 7th frames. Seven of the 'Dads nine starters ended the night with a hit, including four players with multi-hit games. Hickory was outhit by Kannapolis in the nightcap 7-5, but the Crawdads made the most of their opportunities with a home run, triple, and double to go along with standout pitching from four Hickory hurlers.
The first game was a back-and-forth offensive contest, with the 'Dads season-high 5-run, 3rd inning standing as the difference. Hickory entered the frame with a 2-1 lead thanks to an RBI groundout by Josh Morgan and an RBI single from Michael De Leon in the 2nd. Travis Demeritte started the rally with a leadoff walk and a steal of second base, followed by an RBI double to right by Luke Tendler that plated Demeritte for the frame's first run. After a pop out by Jose Cardona, an RBI triple and RBI double by Eduard Pinto and Jose Trevino respectively brought in two more tallies for the 'Dads. Trevino came home two batters later when Morgan reached on an error, before De Leon picked up his second RBI of the game when he doubled to right to score Morgan and put Hickory ahead 7-1.
The Intimidators countered with two runs in both the 3rd and 4th frames, but solo homers by Demeritte and Tendler gave the 'Dads their 9-5 win. Tendler finished the game 2-4 with his South Atlantic League-leading third home run of the year to go along with a double, two RBI, and two runs scored. Trevino (3-4, 2B, RBI, 2 R), De Leon (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI), and Pinto (2-4, 3B, RBI, 2R) all ended the night with multi-hit games as well, while Demeritte went 1-3 with his first long ball of the year.
Hickory starting pitcher Ariel Jurado (2-0) earned the win after allowing five runs on seven hits, no walks, and three strikeouts over five innings pitched, while Nick Gardewine (1) earned the save with two scoreless frames out of the bullpen. Kannapolis starter Spencer Adams (0-1) took the loss with seven runs allowed, five earned, on eight hits in 2.2 IP.
The Crawdads jumped ahead early in game two as well, with the 'Dads taking a 5-0 lead before the Intimidators put up a run in the 6th to avoid the shutout. Pinto got the offense going in the 1st as he reached on a two base throwing error, took third on a sacrifice bunt by De Leon, and came home to score on a wild pitch to give Hickory a 1-0 advantage without a hit.
The lead jumped to 3-0 in the 3rd when De Leon drew a two-out walk before Ronald Guzman crushed a 2-run homer to right, his first of the season. Newly acquired third baseman Tripp Martin got things going in the 4th with a one-out double to left, followed one batter later by a RBI single from Trevino for a 4-0 'Dads lead. Finally, in the 6th, Martin came through again with a triple to right followed by a wild pitch that allowed him to score and gave the Crawdads a 5-1 lead.
Kannapolis first baseman Chris Curley homered to left to lead off the 6th for the Intimidators lone run, before 'Dads reliever Jefri Hernandez worked around two walks to toss a scoreless 7th and give Hickory the 5-1 win.
Guzman finished 2-3 with a homer and two RBI, while Martin went 2-3 with a triple, double, and two RBI while making his professional baseball debut. Hickory starting pitcher Luis Ortiz earned a no-decision after throwing four shutout innings. Reliever Trey Lambert (1-1) earned the win with a perfect 5th inning including two Ks. Kannapolis starter Yelmison Peralta (0-2) took the loss with four runs allowed, three earned, on four hits, two walks, and one strikeout in five innings pitched.
The Crawdads (6-2) will try to make it three consecutive wins against the Intimidators (3-6) in the third game of their four-game series Saturday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 17, 2015
- 'Dads Sweep Doubleheader in Kannapolis - Hickory Crawdads
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