Solo Home Runs Raise 'Dads to 5-2 Win
Published on August 15, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory, NC - The Hickory Crawdads offense utilized the long ball to lift them to victory Friday night, as solo home runs from Carlos Arroyo, Jonathan Meyer, & Luke Tendler powered the 'Dads past the visiting West Virginia Power with a 5-2 win at L.P. Frans Stadium.
The 3-homer game tied the Crawdads season high for the year, while also lifting the 'Dads to a win in a battle between the top two teams in the South Atlantic League. The offense's big fly exhibition also backed a solid night by the Hickory pitching staff, as Austin Pettibone, Adam Dian, and Scott Williams combined to hold West Virginia to 2 runs on 9 hits with 8 strikeouts.
Following a one hour and 41 minute rain delay to begin the night, the Power quickly jumped on Pettibone and the Crawdads with a 2-out, RBI double from Michael Suchy in the 1st for a 1-0 score. The deficit would be short lived for the 'Dads however, as an RBI sacrifice fly from Tendler brought home Jose Cardona in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 1-1.
Hickory then took the lead in the next frame with the first of their three home runs, as Arroyo lined a one-out, solo shot to right to put his team ahead 2-1. After a scoreless 3rd, Meyer came through with his long ball in the 4th when he lofted a high home run over the wall in left to give the Crawdads a 3-1 advantage. The final homer came in the home half of the 6th, when Tendler led off the inning by crushing a ball over the advertisement wall in right field. Hickory would tack on one final run in the frame on a Michael De Leon RBI single to put the 'Dads on top 5-1.
The Power took a bite out of their deficit with a solo home run of their own by Taylor Gushue in the top of the 8th, but Williams shut the door in the 9th to finish off the 5-2 Hickory victory.
Pettibone (3-4) earned the win for the 'Dads with one run allowed on five hits, three walks, and three strikeouts over 5 innings pitched. West Virginia starter Austin Coley (13-6) took the loss after allowing all 5 Crawdads runs on 10 hits and three strikeouts over 6 innings. Williams earned his 7th save of the year with a perfect 9th inning.
Tendler paced Hickory's offense going 1-3 with a home run and 2 RBI. Arroyo ended the night 2-3 with a homer, one RBI, and two runs scored, while Meyer finished 1-4 with his solo shot. De Leon didn't show any extra-base pop in the contest, but did finish 3-3 with an RBI.
The Crawdads (71-44/27-20) and Power (69-47/32-15) will play again Saturday night at 6:00 pm in game two of their 3-game series.
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