'Dads Swept by Sand Gnats with 8-2 Loss
Published on July 6, 2014 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory, NC - A battle between the first place teams in both the Northern and Southern Divisions of the South Atlantic League ended up as a one-sided affair, as the Hickory Crawdads fell to the visiting Savannah Sand Gnats 8-2 Sunday night to give the 'Gnats the 3-game series sweep.
Coming into the weekend the 'Dads had either won or split 14 consecutive series while posting a 40-11 record dating back to May 10th. The powerhouse Sand Gnats emerged victorious in all three games of the series however, improving Savannah's minor league best record this season to 58-26.
For the third straight night it was the 'Gnats who jumped out to an early lead, with Savannah scoring once in the 3rd and three more times in the 5th off of Hickory starting pitcher Ricardo Rodriguez for a 4-0 score. The 'Dads responded with a run in the 6th on a RBI single by Joe Jackson to cut the deficit to 4-1.
The Sand Gnats pushed the lead back out to five when they plated a single tally in the top of the 7th, but the Crawdads answered right back with a RBI single by Evan Van Hooiser to make the score 5-2. The 'Dads appeared poised to rally for more in the frame, but Michael De Leon grounded into an inning-ending double play to squelch the frame.
Savannah put the final runs on the board in the top of the 9th, scoring three times on three hits and two walks against Hickory reliever Josh McElwee for the final 8-2 score.
Rodriguez (5-3) took the loss for the Crawdads with four runs allowed on eight hits, no walks, and four strikeouts over five innings pitched. Savannah starter Robert Gsellman (7-3) earned the win with two runs given up on seven hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts over 6.1 frames.
Ronald Guzman led the Hickory offense in the defeat, going 2-3 with a walk and a run scored. Jackson finished the night 1-3 with a RBI and a hit-by-pitch, while Van Hoosier went 1-4 with a RBI.
The Crawdads (13-5) remain atop their division despite the loss, while the Sand Gnats (14-4) have now won 10-straight games. The 'Dads will look to jump back in the win column on Monday when they host the Lexington Legends for game one of a three-game series at 7:00 pm.
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