Tourists Blast Past Crawdads 11-3

April 14, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Asheville Tourists News Release

Asheville held Hickory at bay while the offensive attack was relentless Saturday night at L.P. Frans Stadium. Ben Alsup (2-0, 3.75) pitched six strong innings for the Tourists, allowed just two runs, and struck out eight Crawdads hitters. The bats for Asheville were just as effective.

Hickory struck first with two runs in the second inning. Jeremy Williams hit a two-run Homer to left but that was Alsup's only hiccup. Like Friday night, Asheville erased the two-run deficit quickly and the fourth inning provided the fireworks.

Sam Mende was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and Harold Riggins followed with a double. Jared Simon took a fastball off his arm, loading the bases with no outs. Tyler Massey, Ryan Casteel, and Rosell Herrera combined for three straight RBI singles, putting the Tourists up 3-2. Jose Rivera hit an RBI fielder's choice and Delta Cleary Jr. doubled in another run. David Kandilas made it 6-2 on a sacrifice fly to left-center.

The Tourists plated four more in the sixth. Casteel led off with a triple and he scored on Rivera's one out single to short. After Cleary Jr. drew a walk, Kandilas made it 10-2 with a three-run bomb to left. The Home Run was Kandilas' first of the season.

The two teams exchanged runs in the ninth. Herrera drove in Simon with a sacrifice fly for the Tourists and Hickory's Williams connected with his second Home Run of the game.

Casteel and Massey finished with three hits apiece for Asheville while Cleary Jr. and Kandilas each contributed two hits. Kandilas finished with a Tourists season-high four RBI's.

Alsup outpitched Hickory starter Santo Perez (0-1, 12.38) for his second win of the season. The Tourists righty had a memorable sixth inning. Alsup struck out the side on nine pitches, while he did not even allow one of his nine pitches to be fouled off.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 14, 2012

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