Freeman Homers in 4-Hit Night But 'Dads Fall

May 20, 2023 - South Atlantic League (SAL)
Hickory Crawdads News Release

Hickory, NC- Despite a strong start by right hander Josh Stephan, the Crawdads lost 1-0 to the Rome Braves, their twelfth consecutive defeat.

Stephan delivered another excellent performance on the mound for the 'Dads. He pitched six innings, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out seven. Stephan threw 54 of his 82 pitches for strikes.

Aidan Anderson entered in the seventh and gave up a solo homerun, the only run the Crawdads allowed Friday night. He allowed a double in the eighth but escaped the jam to turn the ball over to Robby Ahlstrom for the final inning. Ahlstrom walked one but did not allow a hit.

Offensively, the Crawdads bats were quiet, managing just three hits. Jayce Easley drew the 'Dads lone walk in the eighth inning, in a call that was initially called a strike and was overturned after an appeal to the umpires by manager Chad Comer, allowing Easley to take his base. A called strike three to end the inning, rose tempers from the Crawdads even more, leading to Comer arguing with the field umpire and drawing an ejection.

The series will continue tomorrow night at 7pm with Texas Rangers Night where the team will be wearing Ranger-inspired jerseys in honor of the 15 years of affiliation with the team. The first 1,000 fans will receive a replica jersey thanks to 3 Labs Property Inspection and KICKS 103.3.

South Atlantic League Stories from May 20, 2023

• Greensboro Grasshoppers Fall to the Asheville Tourists, 9-7 - Greensboro Grasshoppers
• Winston-Salem Falls to Aberdeen, 12-5 - Winston-Salem Dash
• Freeman Homers in 4-Hit Night But 'Dads Fall - Hickory Crawdads
• Drive Shut Out Hot Rods, 4-0 Behind Isaac Coffey's 11 Ks - Greenville Drive
• Paulino's Grand Slam Seals Series Victory Over Hot Rods, 7-3 - Greenville Drive
• Vasquez and Caminero Homer, Hot Rods Fall Short 7-3 - Bowling Green Hot Rods
• Borden II and Palma Homer in Two-Run Victory - Asheville Tourists
• Cyclones and Renegades Washed Away on Saturday Afternoon - Brooklyn Cyclones
• Renegades Game Postponed - Hudson Valley Renegades
• Dash Look to Avoid First Series Loss of 2023 - Winston-Salem Dash
• Saturday's BlueClaws Game Rained Out; Double-Header on Sunday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Winston-Salem to Host Armed Forces Day Saturday Night - Winston-Salem Dash
• HVR Game Notes - May 20, 2021 - Hudson Valley Renegades

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