'Dads Sweep 'Hoppers with 5-1 Win
Published on April 28, 2016 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory, NC - The Hickory Crawdads finished off a 3-game sweep of the in-state rival Greensboro Grasshoppers Thursday night, as the 'Dads followed the familiar formula of early offense and shutdown pitching to a 5-1 win at L.P. Frans Stadium.
The win not only clinched the sweep for the Crawdads but it also improved them to 6-0 against the Grasshoppers in 2016, including a 3-game sweep in Greensboro April 11-13. Hickory stuck to the game plan that led to victories in the first two games of the set, as the 'Dads used five runs over the first five innings to support shutdown pitching from Jonathan Hernandez, Tyler Davis, and Adam Choplick.
It was Greensboro who struck first on the night, with a solo home run from Stone Garrett in the top of the 2nd inning putting the 'Hoppers ahead 1-0. The Crawdads answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame, as Ti'Quan Forbes singled, Darius Day walked, and Chris Garia reached on an infield single before Eric Jenkins lined an RBI sacrifice fly to right to tie the score at 1-1.
The 'Dads took off from there, with a 3-run 3rd stretching the advantage to 4-1. Andy Ibanez started the rally with a leadoff walk followed by a base knock from Dylan Moore before Tyler Sanchez lined a 2-RBI double inside the third base bag to plate the first two runs. Two outs later, Sanchez came in to score as well on an RBI single up the middle by Chuck Moorman.
Hickory plated the final tally and capped the scoring in the bottom of the 5th, when Forbes singled to right, stole second base, and eventually came home on another RBI base knock from Moorman that put the Crawdads ahead 5-1. The 'Dads bullpen finished off the game from there, with Davis and Choplick throwing four combined scoreless innings to close out the Hickory victory.
Hernandez (3-1) earned the win for the Crawdads after allowing one run on five hits, one walk, and four strikeouts over 5 innings pitched, while Choplick (1) recorded his first save of the season with two shutout innings out of the bullpen. Greensboro starter Brett Lilek (0-1) took the loss in his South Atlantic League debut after giving up one run on 4 hits, 2 walks, and 2 Ks, over 1.2 IP.
Both Sanchez (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, R) and Moorman (2-4, 2 RBI) finished with multi-hit and multi-RBI nights to lead the offense, while Forbes ended the game 2-4 with 2 runs scored.
The Crawdads (14-7) will now welcome the Lexington Legends (9-12) to L.P. Frans Stadium for a 4-game series beginning Friday at 7:00 pm.
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