SAL1 Hickory Crawdads

Home Runs Carry Crawdads to 5-1 Win

Published on June 7, 2016 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release


Hickory, NC - On the same day that the Hickory Crawdads lost their team home run leader Andy Ibanez to a promotion the 'Dads bats responded with a season-high 4 home runs, as Tyler Sanchez, Josh Altmann, Jose Almonte, and Eric Jenkins all went deep Tuesday night to lead Hickory to a 5-1 win over the Greensboro Grasshoppers at L.P. Frans Stadium.

The long ball outburst led the way for an 11-hit game for the Crawdads, with newcomers Carlos Arroyo (3-4) and Connor McKay (2-4, 2 2B) both posting multi-hit games while making their 2016 'Dads debut. All the offense provided more than enough support for starting pitcher Jonathan Hernandez and the Hickory bullpen, as the right-hander tossed 5 shutout innings while the pitching staff combined to hold Greensboro to 1 run on 6 hits on the night.

The big fly onslaught began in the bottom of the 2nd, when Sanchez unloaded on a solo home run to left to give the Crawdads an early 1-0 lead. The advantage doubled to 2-0 the next inning when Altmann lined a solo shot to left.

Two frames later, Ti'Quan Forbes led off the home-half of the 5th with an infield single before Almonte clubbed a 2-run homer to left to stretch the 'Dads lead to 4-0. The Grasshoppers got on the board in the top of the 7th with a leadoff double from Angel Reyes and an eventual RBI groundout by Giovanny Alfonzo to make the score 4-1, but the 'Dads responded in the bottom of the inning when Jenkins lined a solo shot over the right field fence for the last Hickory homer of the night and the final 5-1 score.

Hernandez (6-4) earned the win for the Crawdads with 5 scoreless innings pitched on 2 hits, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts, while Grasshoppers' starter Steven Farnworth took the loss after giving up 4 runs on 8 hits, 3 homers, and 3 Ks over 5 IP.

'Dads relievers Adam Choplick, Joe Palumbo, and John Werner combined to toss 4 innings out of the bullpen with 1 run allowed on 4 hits and 5 strikeouts.

The Crawdads (33-24) and Grasshoppers (30-28) will play the decisive rubber match of their 3-game series Wednesday morning, with first pitch scheduled for 10:30 am.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 7, 2016


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