Hock Notches Relief Win in Close Contest
April 6, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greensboro Grasshoppers News Release
GREENSBORO, NC - The Grasshoppers bullpen upheld a narrow lead for the team's second straight win over the Hickory Crawdads, 4-3, on Friday night at First National Bank Field. Reliever Colton Hock earned the win while striking out four batters over 3.0 relief innings, and Bryce Howe spun a scoreless, hitless ninth inning for the save (1).
Greensboro started the fireworks night presented by Lincoln Financial early with Isael Soto's 2-run home run (1) three batters into the game, scoring Aaron Knapp, for a 2-0 lead against Hickory's starting pitcher Alex Eubanks.
The Crawdads plated their first run as rain began to fall in the top of the fifth inning. Kole Enright led off with a double and moved to third base on a Yonny Hernandez sac-bunt. Eric Jenkins followed with an RBI-single to center field, scoring Enright to cut the Hoppers lead in half. Greensboro catcher BJ Lopez threw out Jenkins trying to steal second base for the second out of the inning, but Hickory followed with three straight singles to score Miguel Aparicio to tie the game, 2-2.
The Hoppers reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the sixth, chasing Eubanks from the game. Garvis Lara and Isael Soto opened the frame with base hits, and Eric Gutierrez walked to load the bases. Eubanks fanned the next two batters before being lifted for reliever Alex Speas. Micah Brown drew a walk off the right-hander to push the go-ahead run across the plate, and B.J. Lopez added an RBI-single for a 4-2 lead. Eubanks (0-1) took the loss, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out seven batters over 5 and 2/3 innings.
Hickory wasted little time trimming Greensboro's lead to one with a run in the top of the seventh. Aparicio singled in Hernandez, cutting the Hoppers lead to 4-3, but Colton Hock fanned the next two batters to get out of the inning with the lead intact.
Grasshoppers starting pitcher Brandon Miller took no decision in his first start of the season, working 5.0 innings and allowing two runs on two hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
Greensboro continues this season-opening home stand on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. against Hickory with a Spectacular Saturday post-game fireworks display presented by Cone Health. The Grasshoppers will send RHP Ryan Lillie (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound against the Crawdads' RHP A.J. Alexy (0-0, 0.00 ERA) in Game 3 of the 4-game series. Tickets are available online at gsohoppers.com.
• Discuss this story on the South Atlantic League message board...
South Atlantic League Stories from April 6, 2018
- Suns Lose to Rome 3-1 Friday - Hagerstown Suns
- MacGregor's Career Night Spoiled by Late Drive Rally - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Matias Powers Legends over RiverDogs in Game Two - Lexington Legends
- Hock Notches Relief Win in Close Contest - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Intimidators Drop Game 2 against the Lakewood BlueClaws, 4-3 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- RiverDogs Start Hot Again, Come up Short of First Win - Charleston RiverDogs
- Bats Back Bishop, Shorebirds Outlast Tourists - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Pitchers Shine Again, Cavallaro Guides Columbia to 2-0 Start - Columbia Fireflies
- Drive Sneak Past Power Late for Second Straight Win - Greenville Drive
- GreenJackets Remain Winless - Augusta GreenJackets
- Late Rally Comes up One-Run Short; Tourists Fall 6-5 - Asheville Tourists
- Rome Gets Second Win of the Season 3-1 - Rome Emperors
- Fireflies Game Notes: April 6 vs. Augusta (Game 2) - Columbia Fireflies
- Hagerstown Suns Game Notes - Hagerstown Suns
- GreenJackets Introduce "WOW! Teacher of the Month" to Award Local Teachers at 2018 Home Games - Augusta GreenJackets
- Legends Pair Baseball and Learning with Continued STEM Program and Education Days - Lexington Legends
- Echols Selected as AMC Civic Leader for Joint Base Charleston - Charleston RiverDogs
- West Virginia Power: Game Notes (April 6) - Charleston Dirty Birds
- RiverDogs Game Notes: April 6, 2018 (Game 2) - Charleston RiverDogs
- BrewFest CharlieWest Moved to Saturday, April 21 - Charleston Dirty Birds
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Greensboro Grasshoppers Stories
- Grasshoppers Fall 8-0 to the Drive-In First Game of Away Series
- Greensboro Shuts Out Hickory 8-0 for Game 5 of Its Home Series
- Grasshoppers Fall 5-3 to the Crawdads Friday Evening
- Grasshoppers Take Down the Crawdads, 9-6 on Thursday Evening
- Grasshoppers Defeat the Crawdads, 8-6 on GCS Day Game