Crawdads take series opener 8-2

Crawdads take series opener, 8-2

                Hickory pitchers recorded 14 strikeouts, and the Crawdads pulled away late in the game for an 8-2 win over the Lexington Legends Monday night at Whitaker Bank Ballpark.

                The Crawdads struck first when Andy Ibanez homered with two outs in the top of the first inning, but the Legends evened the score with a run in the bottom of the first.

                Hickory moved in front in the third.   Chris Garia led off with an infield single, and during an argument about the call on Garia at first base, Lexington manager Omar Ramirez was ejected. With one out, Garia stole second and scored on a two-out single by Tyler Sanchez.

                The Crawdads added another run in the fourth, but Ben Johnson hit a solo homer for Lexington in the bottom of the fourth, leaving the score at 3-2.

                Yeyson Yrizzari's homer in the sixth gave Hickory a 4-2 lead, and in the eighth, Sanchez walked, moved to third on two wild pitches and scored on a sacrifice fly by Yrizarri.

                Hickory scored three runs in the ninth on four walks and a two-run double by Josh Altmann.

                Crawdads' starter Brett Martin (2-2) got the win. He struck out eight batters and walked two in five and one-third innings. Reliever John Werner, who pitched for St. Catharine (Ky.) College before being drafted by the Texas Rangers, finished the game and picked up his second save. He struck out six batters in three and two-thirds innings.

                Legends starter Scott Blewett (2-4) took the loss. He allowed three earned runs in six innings.

                The second game of the three-game series will be played Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

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