'Dads Walk off with 8-7 Win Before 4,853 Fans
Published on May 25, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
HICKORY, NC - With a standing-room-only crowd of 4,853 fans at L.P. Frans Stadium, 3B Drew Robinson's game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the ninth lifted the Hickory Crawdads to the 8-7 walk-off win against the Lexington Legends on Friday.
After the Legends (25-22) struck with a two-run homer by 1B Zach Johnson in the top of the first, the Crawdads (22-24) seized the lead in the top of the third. 1B Jhonny Gomez sparked the charge with a leadoff walk, before moving to second on a 2B Rougned Odor base hit. Two outs later, CF Zach Cone crushed a two-run double to left-center field, tying the game, 2-2. Cone advanced to third on a single from DH Hanser Alberto, and then a balk called on LHP Luis Cruz scored Cone for the 3-2 lead.
The Legends responded right away, reclaiming the lead in the top of the fourth. After C Roberto Pena started the inning with a single, LF Chris Epps connected for a two-run shot to tilt the lead back to Lexington, 4-3.
The Crawdads rallied in the bottom of the seventh, striking for four runs against Cruz and LHP Evan Grills. Gomez again sparked the inning with a leadoff base hit and darted to third on a double by Odor. SS Luis Sardinas then tied the game with an RBI single through the left side of the infield, plating Gomez from third. One out later, Cone struck again with an RBI base hit, bringing in Odor for the 5-4 lead. Sardinas and Cone then completed a double steal, moving up to third and second, respectively, before Alberto brought both runners home with a two-run single to make it 7-4.
Lexington again refused to stay down for long, tying the game in the top of the eighth inning. After an error brought in the frame's first run, DH Mike Kvasnicka brought the Legends back even on the scoreboard, 7-7, with a two-run homer.
Lexington RHP Nathan Pettus (L, 0-4) kept the tie intact through the bottom of the eighth, as did Hickory RHP Phil Klein (W, 4-0) with a scoreless top of the ninth. The 'Dads then dealt the final blow of the night in the bottom of the ninth inning. LF Chris Grayson started the inning with a double to left-center field and was joined on the bases by Cone, who worked a walk. Alberto then laid down a sacrifice bunt that was bobbled on a fielding error by Pettus, enabling everyone to be safe and loading the bases with no outs. Robinson wasted no time, driving the first pitch of his at-bat through the right side of the infield for the game-winning RBI single in the 'Dads 8-7 walk-off win.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 25, 2012
- Hickory Tops Legends 8-7 with Run in 9th - Lexington Legends
- Greensboro Takes Series Lead with 7-3 Win - Delmarva Shorebirds
- 'Dads Walk off with 8-7 Win Before 4,853 Fans - Hickory Crawdads
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- Rome Braves Partner with Claws for Paws - Rome Emperors
- Tourists Split Thursday Night's Double-Header - Asheville Tourists
- Shorebirds Game Notes vs. Greensboro - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Mystery Ball Night on June 2 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
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