Crawdads Cruise Past Shorebirds 7-0

Hickory, NC - The Hickory Crawdads jumped out to a big early lead against the visiting Delmarva Shorebirds Monday night and rode it to a series opening win, as the 'Dads used six runs over the first two innings to back a shutout performance from the pitching staff in a 7-0 win at L.P. Frans Stadium.

The Crawdads lineup sent 16 men to the plate while scoring six runs on six hits over the first two innings against Shorebirds starting pitcher Ofelky Peralta. That early surge would be more than enough support for Christian Torres, Adam Choplick, and Blake Bass, who combined to throw the 'Dads eighth shutout of the season after holding Delmarva off the board on seven hits. The victory also marks the fourth straight win for Hickory over their Northern Division rival, with three of those wins being shutouts.

The first inning explosion saw the Crawdads plate four runs on four hits to take a quick 4-0 lead. Eric Jenkins started the frame with a single and a stolen base, before Eduard Pinto followed one out later with a 2-run home run to right to get the 'Dads on the board. One batter later, Tyler Sanchez drew a walk and came home on an RBI double from Yeyson Yrizarri before LeDarious Clark looped an RBI single to center to cap the inning.

Hickory stretched the advantage to 6-0 in the second, with a single and stolen base from Connor McKay and an RBI base knock by Frandy De La Rosa plating the first tally. Both Pinto and Sanchez followed with walks to load the bases for Yrizarri, who drove in a run on a hit-by-pitch to put the Crawdads up by half a dozen.

The 'Dads picked up their last run of the night in the fifth, when Clark lined a solo home run just above the fence in the right field corner for a 7-0 Hickory lead. The 'Dads pitching staff rolled from there, with Delmarva getting only one baserunner over the final four frames of the Crawdads win.

Torres (1-1) earned the win for the 'Dads with five scoreless innings on six hits and six strikeouts. Choplick followed with three perfect innings of relief, while Bass put up a shutout ninth to finish the game. Peralta (6-5) took the loss for Delmarva after allowing six runs on six hits, three walks, and four strikeouts over two innings pitched.

Pinto led the Hickory hitters with a 2-3 game including his fifth homer of the year, two RBI, and a walk. Clark also had a multi-hit night going 2-4 with a long ball and two RBI, while Yrizarri finished 1-3 with a double, two RBI, and a hit-by-pitch.

The Crawdads (19-17/57-49) and Shorebirds (16-21/58-48) will play again on Tuesday at 7:00 pm in game two of the three game series.

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