Sand Gnats Nip 'Dads in Series Opener
Published on May 10, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
HICKORY, NC - The Savannah Sand Gnats topped the Hickory Crawdads, 7-2, before 2,844 fans at L.P. Frans Stadium on Thursday night .
The Sand Gnats (21-12) struck first in the top of the second against RHP Luke Jackson (L, 2-3) and the 'Dads (18-13). 3B Dustin Lawley singled to start the inning and quickly stole second base. He took third on a base hit from CF Travis Taijeron, before charging home on a double play ball hit by RF Charley Thurber, putting Savannah up, 1-0.
The Gnats struck again the top of the fifth. With one away, Thurber worked walk to get himself on. He then raced all the way in from first on an RBI double by 1B Brian Harrison, making it 2-0.
Savannah added three more tallies in the top of the sixth. DH Brandon Brown led off with a double and was promptly brought home by an RBI double from C Cam Maron. After a walk to 2B T.J. Rivera, both runners moved to second and third on a wild pitch. Jackson dug in and struck out the next batter, but Taijeron then worked a walk to load the bases. After another Jackson strikeout, Harrison placed a two-out, two-run single to left-center, stretching the Savannah lead to 5-0.
The Crawdads responded with their first run in the bottom of the sixth inning against RHP Domingo Tapia (W, 3-1), who held the 'Dads hitless through his 5.2 innings. LF Chris Grayson worked a walk to start the frame and moved to second on a 2B Rougned Odor walk one out later. 3B Hanser Alberto then bounced into a fielder's choice, which led to a throwing error by 2B T.J. Rivera on a double play attempt that enabled Grayson to score, chipping the deficit to 5-1.
Hickory edged closer in the bottom of the seventh against RHP Marco Camarena. DH Jeremy Williams led off with a single that ended up getting past LF Greg Pron, allowing Williams to race to third on the fielding error. One out later, 1B Trever Adams plated Williams with an RBI single to center field, bringing the 'Dads within three runs, 5-2.
Savannah, however, stretched the lead back out with runs in the eighth and ninth innings against the Crawdads bullpen. A sacrifice fly by Pron in the eighth made it 6-2, before an RBI double by Lawley in the ninth accounted for the 7-2 final score in the Sand Gnats win.
Crawdads Clippings:
May the force be with you this Friday for Star Wars Night at L.P. Frans, presented by KICKS 103.3FM! The 'Dads will battle the Sand Gnats at 7 p.m., and all fans with Star Wars gear on will get a Half-Off Ticket to the game! Friday will also be Cartridge World Cartridge Night, when fans can bring an old cartridge to the game and buy one ticket to get a second grandstand ticket for just a penny! Also on Friday will be the Hickory Daily Record Canned Food Drive - for every non-perishable canned food item that you bring, save $1 on your ticket!
Saturday's game against Savannah at 6 p.m. features the Replica Jersey Giveaway! The first 1,000 fans with a paid admission will get a FREE Replica Jersey, courtesy of Pepsi! Saturday will also be Conrad's Birthday, presented by The Big Dawg 92.1FM, so come celebrate with him and his mascot friends! Gates open at 5 p.m.
Get Tickets:
Individual Tickets for all Crawdads home games are available right now at Hickorycrawdads.com or by calling (828) 322-3000! Group outings, corporate partnerships, Levine Children's Hospital Claw Club memberships and Ticket Books for the 20th Anniversary Season are also available right now by calling the Front Office at (828) 322-3000 .
South Atlantic League Stories from May 10, 2012
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