Nine Not Fine
July 23, 2008 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
With a 3-0 loss and after suffering another series sweep Wednesday, the Crawdads have now lost nine straight games, establishing a new season-worst skid. Trailing 1-0 from the very first batter, Hickory would never come back after Delmarva's Matt Angle launched a lead-off home run to start the game.
While the Shorebirds (19-14, 57-45) would later tack on two more runs on a Joe Mahoney RBI single and double play, the Crawdads (11-22, 41-62) ran into a buzzsaw in Delmarva starting pitcher Sean Gleason.
Gleason tossed the first nine-inning complete game for the Shorebirds this season, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out three. Thanks to a double play and a caught stealing, Gleason faced just one batter over the minimum while improving to 7-1.
Hickory's Matt McSwain stood nearly up to the task through his five innings before taking a tough-luck loss. In total, McSwain lasted five innings in allowing four hits and two walks. The only run he surrendered was the lead-off long ball and McSwain also matched his season-high with six strikeouts, but earned his first decision as a starter -- the loss dropped him to 3-4 overall.
The Crawdads' only hits belonged to Matt Hague, who singled in the first inning, and Austin McClune, who singled in the fourth.
The nine-game losing streak surpasses Hickory's eight-game slide from June 4-12. The current skid is the worst for the franchise since 12 consecutive losses from June 5-17 of 2005. It was the fourth time this year and second time in a row Hickory suffered a sweep in a four-game series, marking the seventh time the 'Dads had been swept overall. The nine straight losses at home is also the longest home losing streak on record for the 'Dads, who finished the homestand winless.
Hickory will attempt to place its home futility behind it with an off-day Thursday before hitting the road for an eight-game stretch.
The Crawdads take on the Charleston RiverDogs for a four-game series beginning Friday night at 7:05. You can catch all the action live on the road with Mike Janela calling the play-by-play for WMNC 92.1 FM or right here on www.hickorycrawdads.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 23, 2008
- Billings throws no-hitter in rout - Asheville Tourists
- 'Jackets complete four-game sweep - Augusta GreenJackets
- Billings no-hits BlueClaws - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- GreenJackets Bite Captains Again 5-4 - Lake County Captains
- Kimball, Rogers Help Suns Split Series with Greenville - Hagerstown Suns
- Cishek Blows Save; Hoppers Miss Out on Sweep of RiverDogs - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Nine Not Fine - Hickory Crawdads
- Suns Get Three Off Drive Bullpen for 4-2 Victory - Greenville Drive
- Gleason Dominant in 3-0 Complete Game Shutout - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Gnats Make Roster Moves - Savannah Sand Gnats
- BlueClaws The Hottest Team In The South Atlantic League - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Drive Cruise Past Hagerstown, 7-1 - Hagerstown Suns
- Intimidators Doubleheader Against Sand Gnats Postponed Due To Rain - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Suns Raise Over $4,500 For Breast Cancer Awareness - Hagerstown Suns
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.
