SAL1 Hickory Crawdads

'Dads take series opener in Greensboro, 3-2

August 6, 2010 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release


HICKORY, NC - The Hickory Crawdads held off a comeback attempt by the Greensboro Grasshoppers in the bottom of the ninth, taking the series opener, 3-2, before 6,664 fans at NewBridge Bank Park on Friday night. The 'Dads sit just 1.5 games behind the first-place Lakewood BlueClaws in the Northern Division second-half standings, and are now 10.5 games up on the Grasshoppers in the wild card race.

Greensboro (52-58, 20-20) threatened in the bottom of the ninth inning. With the Crawdads up, 3-1, and one out in the frame, Grasshoppers CF Jeff Corsaletti trimmed that lead with a solo home run to right field against LHP Joseph Ortiz, on for his third inning of relief. Crawdads Manager Bill Richardson then called upon the 'Dads newly annointed closer RHP Ovispo De Los Santos. De Los Santo started by allowing a single to DH Kyle Jensen, who was replaced by pinch-runner Michael Pasek. After striking out 1B Chad Cregar for the second out of the inning, LF Justin Bass skied a deep fly ball out to center field that was caught at the wall by CF Jared Bolden to end the ballgame for a 3-2 Crawdads win.

It was the Grasshoppers that started the scoring in the bottom of the fourth against 'Dads starter RHP Braden Tullis (5-0, 2.88 ERA) on a solo home run to right field by Cregar, his 14th of the season, giving Greensboro a 1-0 lead.

Hickory (63-46, 23-16) responded in the the top of the sixth with two runs against Grasshoppers starter LHP Edgar Olmos (3-5, 3.59 ERA). With the bases loaded and just one out, SS Jonathan Roof walked to bring in RF Jared Prince from third for the first run of the frame. After Olmos was replaced on the mound by RHP Sandy Rosario, a wild pitch to 3B Matt West gave Bolden an opportunity to score from third and put the 'Dads ahead, 2-1.

The Crawdads added a much needed insurance run in the top of the ninth against Greensboro reliever RHP Alejandro Ramos. LF Ed Koncel drew a one out walk and proceeded to move up to third on a steal of second base and a throwing error by C Carlos Paulino. DH Yefrey Castillo followed with an RBI single to right field, plating Koncel and pushing the Hickory lead to 3-1.

Corsaletti hit his homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth before De Los Santos recorded the final two outs to close the ballgame, 3-2, and pick up his second save as a Crawdad.

Tullis earned the win for Hickory, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three in 5.1 innings. Ortiz followed with three innings of relief, allowing just the one run on two hits while fanning four. Olmos was saddled with the loss for Greensboro.

Click here for the complete box score.

Crawdads Clippings: The Crawdads continue their five-game series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers with game two on Saturday at 7 p.m. Catch all the action live on The Big Dawg 92.1FM and Hickorycrawdads.com, and be sure to tune in 15 minutes early for Crawdads Countdown!

The Crawdads return to host the Charleston RiverDogs on Thursday, August 12, beginning with Thirsty Thursday, featuring $1 beers and Pepsis, presented by Buffalo Wild Wings. Thursday will also be the highly anticipated Haynesworth Conditioning Challenge!

The Haynesworth Conditioning Challenge has now officially gone national with a write up by the Associated Press! The challenge has also received attention in the Washington Post, NFL.com, Sports Illustrated.com, NBC Sports and MiLB.com. You can also see the 'Dads staff complete the challenge on YouTube.

All participants that successfully complete the challenge in the allotted time will win two season tickets for the rest of the 2010 season, including all potential playoff games. All participants that attempt the challenge will receive a free ticket to a future game this season (excluding Aug. 14).

Check out the Hickory Crawdads Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from August 6, 2010


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