Villanueva and 'Dads Slam BlueClaws, 9-5
Published on June 5, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
HICKORY, NC - 3B Christian Villanueva powered a five-run third inning with a grand slam, as the Hickory Crawdads cruised to the 9-5 victory against the Lakewood BlueClaws, before 1,551 fans at L.P. Frans Stadium on Sunday evening. The game was delayed in the bottom of the third for 39 minutes due to rain.
The Crawdads (30-26) took an early lead right away against LHP Ervis Manzanillo (L, 3-3) in the bottom of the first inning. With CF Teodoro Martinez on at first and no outs, SS Jurickson Profar reached on a fielder's choice and took over as the runner at first with one away. DH Tomas Telis then ripped an RBI double to right-center field, plating Profar all the way from first for the 1-0 lead.
Hickory attempted to stretch the lead early in the bottom of the third inning, getting 2B Jonathan Roof on base on a Lakewood error, quickly followed by a walk from Martinez. With two on and no outs, the rain intensified and the umpires called for the tarp, sending the game into a rain delay. After 39 minutes, the game picked back up and Profar ripped a quick single to center, loading the bases. Telis placed an RBI single to right field, bringing in Roof and keeping the bases loaded. 3B Christian Villanueva followed with a grand slam over the left field wall, opening up a 6-0 lead for the 'Dads.
The BlueClaws (28-28) started the comeback right away in the top of the fourth against RHP Nick McBride. After a ground out to start the inning, Lakewood strung together three straight singles to load the bases. CF Miguel Alvarez then brought in the BlueClaws first run on a fielder's choice, putting runners at the corners with two down. Consecutive RBI singles by SS Edgar Duran and 2B Carlos Perdomo capped the rally and cut the Crawdads lead in half, 6-3.
After McBride dealt a 1-2-3 fifth, Lakewood continued to chip away with a run in the top of the sixth. C Jeff Lanning and Alvarez sparked the inning with back-to-back base hits, and both advanced ninety feet further on a sacrifice bunt. Perdomo then struck again with another RBI single, drawing the BlueClaws within two, 6-4.
The Crawdads responded right away in the bottom of the sixth against RHP Colby Shreve and RHP Tyler Knigge. With one out and the bases clear, LF Jake Skole and C Kellin Deglan knocked consecutive singles, putting runners at the corners and chasing Shreve from the hill. Roof then welcomed Knigge to the mound with an RBI double off the left field wall, scoring Skole and moving Deglan to third. Martinez ripped a two-run double down the left-field line, bringing in Deglan and Roof to make it 9-4.
Lakewood had one last comeback attempt against RHP Colby Killian in the top of the seventh. 3B Geancarlo Mendez and 1B Jim Murphy hit back-to-back doubles to draw within four runs, 9-5, but Killian retired the next three batters in a row to get out of the inning with no further damage done.
RHP Joe Van Meter (W, 4-0) picked up where Killian left off, logging scoreless frames in the eighth and ninth to close the 9-5 win for Hickory.
Crawdads Clippings:
The Crawdads host the Lakewood BlueClaws for Education Day, presented by Sylvan Learning Center, on Monday at 11 a.m. Gates open at 10 a.m. Monday's game will be broadcast live on Hickorycrawdads.com, and will be re-aired on The Big Dawg 92.1FM and Hickorycrawdads.com at 7 p.m. on Monday evening.
Get Tickets:
Individual tickets, corporate partnerships, group outings and ticket plans for the 2011 season are available right now at the Crawdads Front Office or by calling (828) 322-3000. You can even purchase and print your tickets from the comfort of your home on Hickorycrawdads.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 5, 2011
- Tourists Winning Streak Snapped with 8-5 Loss to Sand Gnats - Asheville Tourists
- Villanueva and 'Dads Slam BlueClaws, 9-5 - Hickory Crawdads
- Lakewood Loses 4th Straight, Fall 9-5 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Extra Base Hits Drive Comeback 4-2 Win - Augusta GreenJackets
- Sanford Stifles 'Dogs as GreenJackets Grab 4-2 Win - Charleston RiverDogs
- Kannapolis Matches Season-High with 16 Runs - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Power Fall 5-3 - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Drive Offense Slow to Get Going in 3-1 Loss - Greenville Drive
- Legends Win Series Opener Over Drive, 3-1 - Lexington Legends
- Homers Vault Shorebirds to 5-3 Win Over Power - Delmarva Shorebirds
- West Virginia Power Ready to "Strike Out Hunger" with Food Drive - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Savannah Sand Gnats Game Notes - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Manny Machado Activated off Disabled List - Delmarva Shorebirds
- West Virginia Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
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