Holy Hickory! Crawdads win thriller 8-6
April 18, 2008 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Down 6-2 after the third inning, it seemed Hickory was doomed to suffer the same losing fate it had the first three games of the Crawdads' series against Lexington. Instead, Hickory earned one of its signature wins of the season, using a thrilling 5-run comeback in the eighth inning to defeat the Legends, 8-6, and emphatically avoid a sweep.
The biggest blows came from Erik Huber and Andrew Walker, who combined in the eighth for back-to-back home runs -- Huber's a no-doubt-about-it shot to left field to tie the game 6-6 and Walker's getting over the right-center field wall to put the Crawdads ahead by a run.
In all, Hickory batted around in the eighth, scoring five runs on six hits to win for the first time this season when trailing after seven innings.
Things didn't start well for the Crawdads, as Hickory (9-7) allowed six runs in the first three innings. Collin DeLome and Steve Brown each hit solo home runs for Lexington (5-11), increasing their league-leading total to 16.
The Crawdads scored on a pair of RBI ground outs in the first inning before Walker doubled in Huber in the sixth to bring Hickory within three.
Then the Crawdad eruption in the eighth put them ahead for good before Moises Robles shut the door with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Ronald Uviedo (1-0) earned the win for the 'Dads, throwing three innings of scoreless relief. Lexington's Fernando Abad (0-1)allowed all five runs in the eighth inning, blowing the save and taking the loss. For Robles, the save was his second of the year.
Offensively, Hickory relied on several standouts.
Huber led the way with a 2-4 night, hitting his game-tying home run and finishing with two runs and three RBIs. Walker finished 3-4 with his long ball and two RBIs.
At the bottom of the order, Matt Cavagnaro and Bobby Spain each went 2-4 and combined to score the final run of the late rally when Spain drove in Cavagnaro from first base on a double down the right-field line.
After starting pitcher Rafael Delossantos allowed six runs (four earned) in three innings, the Hickory bullpen pitched masterfully.
Matt McSwain, Uviedo and Robles combined to allow just one hit and one walk in 6 scoreless innings.
The Crawdads take the momentum from their comeback on the road Saturday for a three-game set at Asheville.
First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
Be sure to listen live on 92.1 FM or at HickoryCrawdads.com as Mike Janela delivers the play-by-play of Hickory's first visit to the Tourists.
GAME NOTES:Game time was 2:28. Attendance was an L.P. Frans Stadium season high of 2,562. ...The back-to-back home runs marked the first time this year Hickory has done it. ...The Crawdads are now 2-6 on the year when the opposition scores first. ...Jose De Los Santos singled in the third inning to extend his hitting streak to eight games. ...In his first three games with Hickory, Andrew Walker is now 5-11 with 2 home runs, 3 runs and 4 RBIs.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 18, 2008
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- The Braves Swat the Gnats - Rome Emperors
- Suns drop thrid straight - Hagerstown Suns
- Power snap seven game skid - Charleston Dirty Birds
- 'Birds Battle Back, But Fall 5-4 to Lakewood - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Holy Hickory! Crawdads win thriller 8-6 - Hickory Crawdads
- Rome Braves Make Roster Moves - Rome Emperors
- Rome Braves To Honor John Henry Moss - Rome Emperors
- See Fireworks or Dale Earnhardt's Car - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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