Late Rally Falls Short in 7-6 'Dads Defeat
Published on May 19, 2016 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory Crawdads at the Plate
(Hickory Crawdads)
Charleston, WV - The Hickory Crawdads refused to go down quietly Thursday night in West Virginia, as the 'Dads posted a 4-run 8th inning to cut their deficit to a single run. The surge stopped there however as Hickory's rally fell short in a 7-6 loss to the Power at Appalachian Power Park.
The Crawdads began the 8th frame trailing the Power 7-2, after West Virginia responded to an early 2-1 deficit with 5 unanswered runs. The inning started with a strikeout of Chris Garia before Andy Ibanez walked and Josh Altman singled prior to an RBI double by LeDarious Clark off the top of the right field wall. One out later, Dylan Moore walked to load the bases for Chuck Moorman, who delivered a bases clearing, 3-RBI double to left that got the 'Dads back in the game with a 7-6 score.
Power reliever Julio Eusebio stopped the bleeding there however, as the right-handed hurler escaped the 8th with a pop out by Eduard Pinto before retiring the side in order in the 9th to hand Hickory the 7-6 defeat.
The night began with West Virginia taking a 1-0 lead against 'Dads starter Wes Benjamin in the 2nd, after Christian Kelley lofted a sacrifice fly to right to score Daniel Arribas. The Crawdads promptly responded in the top of the 3rd, when Pinto doubled to right-center field, Eric Jenkins drew a walk, and Garia lined a 2-RBI triple to right-center to give the 'Dads a 2-1 lead.
The advantage was short lived, as the Power plated 2 runs of their own in the bottom of the 3rd to re-take the lead at 3-2. Cole Tucker doubled to right to start the frame, followed one out later by an RBI base knock from Ke'Bryan Hayes. Carlos Munoz then came through with a single before Arribas delivered an RBI single to left to give West Virginia the lead.
The Power would add to their advantage against Hickory reliever Erik Swanson, scoring 1 run in the 5th, 1 in the 6th, and 2 in the 7th for their 7-2 lead. The Crawdads' 4 runs in the 8th narrowed the score to its final 7-6 margin.
West Virginia starting pitcher Dario Agrazal (2-3) earned the win after tying a career-high with 7 innings pitched while allowing 2 runs on 6 hits, one walk, and 3 strikeouts. Benjamin (2-2) took the loss for the 'Dads after giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, 1 walk, and 3 Ks over his 3 IP, while Eusebio (3) picked up the save after finishing off the game.
Moorman led the Hickory hitters with a 2-4 game including a double and 3 RBI, while Pinto finished 2-3 with 2 doubles and a run scored in his first game played since April 19. Garia also posted a good night, going 1-4 with a triple and 2 RBI.
The Crawdads (26-14) and Power (20-19) will play again Friday night at 7:05 pm in game two of their 4-game series.
Images from this story
 Hickory Crawdads at the Plate |
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