'Hoppers escape Hickory with 6-3 win
September 2, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
HICKORY, N.C. - The Hickory Crawdads struck for two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but the Greensboro Grasshoppers hung on for the 6-3 win before 1,112 fans at L.P. Frans Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Grasshoppers (27-38, 64-71) got out to an early lead with a couple of runs against RHP Jake Brigham (2-10) in the top of the first. 1B Ryan Keedy and DH Ben Lasater hit back-to-back singles, before taking second and third on a wild pitch. After a walk loaded the bases, 2B Daniel Pertusati drove a single through the left side of the infield for a two-run base hit, scoring two and making it 2-0.
Brigham dealt a scoreless second frame, but Greensboro tacked on another run in the top of the third. 1B Ryan Keedy started the inning with a single, stole his way to second base and scored on a two-out RBI double by Pertusati later in the inning, putting the Grasshoppers ahead, 3-0. Greensboro added another run in the top of the fourth on an RBI double by SS Emilio Ontiveros, stretching the lead to 4-0.
The Crawdads (28-37, 61-73) got on the board against RHP Sandy Rosario (3-1) in the bottom of the fourth inning, when LF Mike Hollander hit a solo home run to begin the frame. Greensboro, though, responded with runs in the fifth and sixth against RHP Carlos Pimentel, pushing the lead to 6-1.
Hickory refused to go quietly, plating a pair in the bottom of the seventh inning to cut the deficit in half, down to 6-3. RF Eric Fry opened the inning with a double that he belted off the right field wall, and later took third base with a ground out to second base. With two down and Fry at third, 1B Ed Koncel kept the inning going with an RBI single up the middle of the infield, bringing in Fry the final ninety feet. SS Leury Garcia then crushed a pitch to deep left-center field for a triple that scored Koncel all the way from first base, and made it just a three-run game.
The Crawdads threatened again in the bottom of the eighth when C Vinny DiFazio and 3B Matt West both drew walks to bring the potential game-tying run to the plate, but Greensboro RHP Jared Yecker took over on the mound and got out of the inning in scoreless fashion. Yecker then followed with a one-two-three bottom of the ninth, closing the 6-3 win for the Grasshoppers. Brigham was tagged with the loss for Hickory, while Rosario registered the win and Yecker logged the save for Greensboro.
Crawdads Clippings: Hickory will play their final home game of the 2009 season on Thursday against Greensboro. The Crawdads Unemployment Night ticket offer will be extended to that game as well. Fans can receive four free tickets to Thursday's game by presenting their NCESC debit card or printed online statement at the Crawdads Ticket Office. It is also $1 Beverage Night on Thursday, when your favorite beverages cost just a buck at L.P. Frans Stadium!
Get Tickets: Single game tickets for all 2009 Crawdads games are on sale at the Crawdads Ticket Office and online at www.hickorycrawdads.com and start at just $6! Season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available at the Crawdads office, located at 2500 Clement Blvd. NW or by calling 322-3000.
Season tickets, group outings and corporate partnerships for the 2010 season are available right now at the Crawdads Front Office or by calling (828) 322-3000.
South Atlantic League Stories from September 2, 2009
- Drive Head in Reverse Against Hot Rods, Lose 7-3 - Greenville Drive
- 'Hoppers escape Hickory with 6-3 win - Hickory Crawdads
- BlueClaws Lose Home Finale - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Scelfo Powers Hot Rods Past Drive 7-3 - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Kannapolis comes closer with 5-1 win over West Virginia - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Late-Game Heroics Lift Suns To Series Victory Over Lakewood - Hagerstown Suns
- Playoff Hopes In Doubt After Loss To Kannapolis - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Cesario Smashes Asheville To Victory - Asheville Tourists
- Tourists score four in eighth, beat Legends 6-2 - Lexington Legends
- Charleston Pitching Outlasts Braves - Rome Emperors
- Dannemiller Lands Female Executive Of Year Award - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- RiverDogs Conquer Rome Again, 4-0, In 13 Innings - Charleston RiverDogs
- Runzler Gets Call to the Big Leagues - Augusta GreenJackets
- Suns Saving Their Best For Last Homestand Of 2009 - Hagerstown Suns
- Ratliff, Satin Promoted To St. Lucie - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Walk-Off Win Propels GreenJackets To Sweep Of Gnats - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park's Field Selected Best in South Atlantic League - Charleston RiverDogs
- Logan County Little League Honored by Hot Rods - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Monell's Two Home Runs Keep Jackets in Chase - Augusta GreenJackets
- Fan Appreciation Night Tonight, Roof-man and Playoffs Next Week - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Norris and Lombardozzi Selected to South Atlantic League Post-Season All-Star Team - Hagerstown Suns
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