SAL1 Greensboro Grasshoppers

Hickman's Heroics

Published on May 12, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greensboro Grasshoppers News Release


Greensboro, N.C. - Being on base is nothing new to Greensboro's Tom Hickman; in fact, he's done it in each of his last 18 games. But driving in the game-winning run is something the Rome, Ga., native has only recently become accustomed to.

It was a three-run, bases clearing double on Sunday; Monday's game-winning hit may have only been an RBI single, but the result was still the same as the Hoppers (20-17) picked up their second consecutive victory, 7-5, over Lakewood (19-18) in game one of the four-game set.

The BlueClaws jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after two innings of play, but Greensboro starter Brett Durand plowed one and although he gave up five runs in six innings of work, only one was earned.

Lakewood's lead was short-lived; however, as Greensboro responded with four runs in the home-half of the third and another in the fourth to put the Hoppers up 5-3. But a two-run fifth for the BlueClaws set the stage for Hickman's heroics.

Bryan Petersen led off the sixth and singled to left-center field off of Lakewood reliever Yen-Feng Lin. Lin retired Ryan Curry and gave up a hit to Hunter Mense to put two runners on base with Hickman stepping to the plate.

After a wild pitch advanced both runners, Hickman singled home Petersen to put the Hoppers ahead for good. Hickman finished the night 2-for-5 to extend his consecutive games on base streak to 18. He was joined in the two-hit column by Petersen, Mense and Ryan Anetsberger, who hit his first home run since Sept. 7 of last season.

Durand (5-1) picked up the win after six innings of work and allowed all five Lakewood runs, only one was earned, on six hits. The Greensboro bullpen took over in the seventh inning and Steven Cishek and Garrett Parcell combined to toss three scoreless innings in relief.

Greensboro continues its eight-game homestand Tuesday as the Hoppers host "Babe's Bark in the Park" in game two of a four-game series against Lakewood. Fans are invited to bring their dogs out to the ballpark for an exciting evening of events, beginning with a dog and owner parade around the warning track at 6:30 p.m.

Dogs and owners alike will see RHP Stuart Alexander (4-2, 4.14) take the mound against Lakewood's LHP Jacob Diekman (0-3, 5.06). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

For more information about upcoming Grasshopper games, events and promotions, contact the Grasshoppers Box Office at 336-268.2255 or visit www.gsohoppers.com on the World Wide Web.

The Grasshoppers have welcomed over 1,250,000 fans to NewBridge Bank Park, becoming the only Class A team in the history of Minor League Baseball to draw over 400,000 fans and grow its attendance for three straight years in a new ballpark. They are the proud recipients of both the South Atlantic League's Club Merit Award and the General Manager of the Year Award for the past three years.

Postgame Quick Stats

Win - Brett Durand (5-1); Loss - Yen-Feng Lin (0-2); Save - Garrett Parcell (9)

Time - 2:49; Attendance - 3,829

Check out the Greensboro Grasshoppers Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 12, 2008


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