SAL1 Hickory Crawdads

Lincoln, Home Runs Snap Six-Game Skid

Published on June 3, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release


Thanks to a season-best performance from starting pitcher Brad Lincoln and home runs from Erik Huber and Albert Laboy, Hickory beat Asheville on Tuesday, 4-1. In front of a beyond-capacity crowd of 4,761 on Education Day at L.P. Frans Stadium, the Crawdads snapped a six-game losing streak while also putting the brakes on the Tourists' nine-game winning roll.

Starting for Hickory (28-31), Lincoln threw 6.1 innings, scattering five hits and one run, walking none and striking out six. Not only did it mark the right-hander's longest outing of the year, but the six strikeouts also established a new season high for Lincoln. His zero walks marked the third time in four starts Lincoln hasn't issued a free pass.

By the time Lincoln allowed the only Asheville (41-18) run of the day to Darin Holcomb on a solo home run in the fourth inning, Hickory had already taken the lead.

Huber did the honors with a three-run home run to left centerfield in the bottom of the third inning, driving in Keanon Simon and Miles Durham with him. It was Huber's first home run in exactly a month, after hitting five in the season's first month.

The Crawdads put the cherry on top with Laboy's solo home run in the eighth inning for the final 4-1 margin.

Laboy, who hit .287 with six home runs and 26 RBI for Hickory in 2007, joined the team from Class-A Advanced Lynchburg two hours before the game and was inserted in the starting lineup as a left fielder.

After doubling in his first at-bat of the game, Laboy then sent his big fly over the left field wall for the final scoring of the day.

Lincoln earned the win, improving to 3-1 on the season. Robinson Fabian took the loss for Asheville in his first appearance of the season, allowing three runs on three hits in four innings of relief, walking none and striking out one.

Ronald Uviedo finished the game with two scoreless innings for Hickory, sewing up his team-leading fifth save of the season.

The win was Hickory's first against Asheville this season, as the 'Dads entered the game with an 0-4 record against the team with the best record in the South Atlantic League.

Having concluded the Hickory portion of their home-and-home series, both squads head to Asheville for two games beginning Wednesday night at 7:05.

Hickory sends RHP Dustin Molleken (4-3, 5.81 ERA) to the mound against RHP Bruce Billings (4-3, 4.55).

Join Mike Janela for live play-by-play of the action on The Big Dawg 92.1 FM or right here streaming on www.hickorycrawdads.com.

Check out the Hickory Crawdads Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from June 3, 2008


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.

OurSports Central