SAL1 Hickory Crawdads

Deep Sixed: Hickory Comeback Falls Short

Published on May 7, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release


Hickory fell one run shy of a stunning ninth-inning comeback, dropping game one of its series to Savannah, 10-9, to lose its sixth straight game. The Crawdads trailed 9-3 after the fourth inning, setting the stage for the comeback attempt that later fell short.

Savannah (13-20) tagged Hickory (15-19) starter Emilis Guerrero for the second straight start, scoring nine runs (six earned) on 12 hits off Guerrero in 3.2 innings. In Guerrero's last start -- also against Savannah -- the Sand Gnats scored seven runs in the first inning en route to a 9-6 win May 2.

Wednesday's game saw the third inning do the most damage to the 'Dads, as the Gnats put six runs across on six hits in the frame, highlight by a Daniel Stegall three-run homer.

Savannah already had one run courtesy of a Francisco Pena RBI single in the first and would add two more on back-to-back doubles by Francisco Pena and Richard Pena in the fourth to set Hickory in its hole.

A trio of three-run innings helped the Crawdads fight back, coming in the second, sixth and ninth.

A Matt Cavagnaro two-run single highlighted Hickory's three-run second inning, while the Crawdads scored on a Bobby Spain RBI single, a bases loaded hit batsmen and a passed ball in the sixth.

Spain -- who celebrated his 23rd birthday Wednesday -- would play an integral role in Hickory's ninth inning, doubling in a run and scoring the run that put the 'Dads within one.

After a Jose De Los Santos RBI single made it 10-9, though, Austin McClune struck out swinging with runners at first and second to hand Hickory its sixth consecutive defeat.

On his birthday, Spain went 3-5 with two runs, two RBIs and one double. The Crawdads also received stellar performances from Tom Hagan (2-3, 3 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB) and Marcus Davis (2-4, 2 R, 2 SB).

Savannah received three-hit nights from Francisco Pena and Jordan Abruzzo. Pena also scored twice and drove in three. Abruzzo and right fielder Casey Craig each also scored two times.

Savannah's 10 runs matched a season high for a Hickory opponent (also: Greenville, 4/27) and its 16 hits set a new high mark for a Crawdads foe (former: 15, Lexington, 4/17).

Sand Gnats starter Scott Moviel earned the win, allowing three runs (two earned) in five innings to improve to 3-4. He has defeated Hickory each of his last two outings. Julio Polanco recorded the final out of the game for his first save of the season.

Guerrero dropped to 0-3 with the loss for the Crawdads. His 12 hits and six earned runs were both season highs for a Hickory pitcher this year.

The Crawdads return to action Thursday night, attempting to snap their six-game drought. The last time Hickory suffered this long a skid was a seven-game spell from April 20-26, 2007.

RHP Dustin Molleken (2-2, 4.68 ERA) takes the hill for the 'Dads against RHP Elvin Ramirez (3-1, 3.62) for the Gnats.

First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. It is Dollar Beverage Night and tickets are still available by calling (828) 322-3000 or right here on www.hickorycrawdads.com.

GAME NOTES: Game time was 3:19. Attendance was 722. The game was the second longest played by Hickory this season (3:50, April 28 @ Greenville). ...Miles Durham snapped his hitting streak at 12 games. He is still the only SAL player with two streaks of 11 games or more in 2008. ... Marcus Davis' two steals marked the first time a Crawdad swiped two bags in one game in 2008. Hickory hadn't stolen a base since April 29. ...The Crawdads are now 0-15 when trailing going into the ninth inning.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 7, 2008


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