SAL1 Hickory Crawdads

Grasshoppers Spring by Crawdads in Series Opener

Published on July 20, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release


HICKORY, NC - The Greensboro Grasshoppers topped the Hickory Crawdads, 9-4, before 1,221 fans at L.P. Frans Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Crawdads (57-37, 17-9) cracked the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second against RHP Jheyson Manzueta. The 'Dads loaded the bases with no outs with a single and two walks to start the frame. Greensboro countered with a double play on a comeback grounder to the mound, with no runs scoring on the play that left runners at second and third with two outs. DH Kellin Deglan extended the inning and reloaded the bases with a walk, followed by an RBI walk from LF Jhonny Gomez to put the 'Dads in front, 1-0.

The Grasshoppers (52-44, 12-14) worked it back even with a run against RHP Cody Buckel in the top of the fourth. After three perfect innings to start the game from Buckel, SS Noah Perio reached with a leadoff double to begin the fourth frame. Two outs later and with Perio still at second, 1B Mark Canha tied it at 1-1 with an RBI single.

Hickory quickly moved right back in front with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. With one down, Deglan reached on a throwing error charged to Perio and then moved to second on a passed ball. SS Jurickson Profar knocked Hickory back in the lead with an RBI single to right field to plate Deglan and advance Gomez to second. After a strikeout, C Tomas Telis and 1B Andrew Clark both ripped RBI base hits, stretching the new lead to 4-1.

Greensboro again began chipping away in the top of the fifth. 3B Ryan Fisher started the frame with a solo homer, cutting the 'Dads lead to 4-2. C Jacob Realmuto refueled the charge with a single and raced all the way in on an RBI double by DH Aaron Dudley, making it 4-3.

The Grasshoppers plated three in the top of the sixth against RHP Joe Van Meter (L, 5-2) to overtake the 'Dads on the scoreboard. With a runner at second and two outs, Realmuto drove an RBI double to spark the rally. He then scored on an RBI single by Dudley, who took second on the throw home before racing in on an RBI base hit by LF James Wooster, lifting Greensboro to the 6-4 advantage.

The Grasshoppers struck with three insurance runs in the top of the seventh facing RHP Ben Henry. After a single and a walk started the stanza, CF Christian Yelich hit an RBI double to left-center, plating Perio on the play. Canha worked a walk to load the bases, before Fisher dealt the final blow with a two-run single to account for the 9-4 final score in the Grasshoppers win.

LHP Kenneth Toves (W, 1-0) registered the win for the Grasshoppers, tossing 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.

Crawdads Clippings:

The 'Dads take on the Grasshoppers Thursday at 7 p.m. for Thirsty Thursday, featuring $1 can beers and Pepsis, presented by Buffalo Wild Wings. It's also Jimmy Buffett Beach Night - wear some beach gear or a bathing suit and get a Half Off Ticket! Don't miss out on $2 cheeseburgers, $2 Landsharks and $1 Shock Tops, too! The Jacob Johnson Band will also be performing live after the game.

Hickory then wraps up the series against Greensboro on Friday with Friday Night Fireworks, presented by Hickory Dickory Dock and WNNC 1230AM! First Pitch is at 7 p.m., gates open at 6 p.m.

Saturday is the annual Christian Concert Game, presented by Chick-Fil-A, 106.9 The Light and Young & Associates, against the Delmarva Shorebirds at 6 p.m. Don't miss the Dove Award winning band, Sidewalk Prophets, performing live after the game! All tickets are just $12 and going fast! Gates open at 5 p.m.

Get Tickets:

Individual tickets, corporate partnerships, group outings and ticket plans for the 2011 season are available right now at the Crawdads Front Office or by calling (828) 322-3000. You can even purchase and print your tickets from the comfort of your home on Hickorycrawdads.com.

Check out the Hickory Crawdads Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 20, 2011


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