Sanchez & Clark Power 'Dads to 4-2 Win
Lakewood, NJ - The Hickory Crawdads received a pair of big blasts from Tyler Sanchez and LeDarious Clark Wednesday night, as both batters connected on 2-run home runs to power the 'Dads to a 4-2 win over the Lakewood BlueClaws at FirstEnergy Park.
The pair of long balls helped the Crawdads salvage the final game of their four-game series, while also giving Hickory a much-needed win as they battle for a second half playoff birth in the South Atlantic League Northern Division. The homers were supported by another solid night of pitching from Luke Lanphere, Omarlin Lopez, and Adam Choplick, as well as three double plays turned by the Crawdads defense that helped to keep the BlueClaws to two runs despite the home team accumulating 12 hits.
The first of the 'Dads big flies came in the first inning, as Clark reached on a 2-out, infield single before Sanchez crushed a 2-run homer to left for a 2-0 Hickory lead. The Crawdads defense went right to work in defense of the lead, with the club turning double plays in both the first and second frames in support of Lanphere.
Lakewood was able to get on the board in the bottom of the fourth, when Damek Tomscha roped a double to left-center field before advancing to third base on a wild pitch and scoring on an RBI groundout from Wilson Garcia to cut the score to 2-1. The 'Claws then tied up the game two innings later in the sixth, with an RBI infield single by Carlos Duran deadlocking the contest at 2-2. The BlueClaws threatened to take the lead in the inning as well, but Lopez was able to escape the jam with the 'Dads third double play of night.
The game remained tied until the top of the eight inning, when Frandy De La Rosa reached on a 2-out walk to bring up Clark who lined a 2-run long ball down the left field line to put the Crawdads back on top 4-2. Choplick would close the game out from there with a scoreless ninth inning to finish off the Hickory victory.
Clark led the 'Dads bats with a 3-4 game including his 10th home run of the year, a double, two RBI, and two runs scored. Sanchez finished 1-3 with his 10th homer of the season and a walk.
Lopez (8-5) earned the win after throwing 2.2 scoreless innings on three hits and a strikeout, while Choplick (1) recorded his first save of the year with a scoreless ninth. Lakewood reliever Grant Dyer (0-3) took the loss with two runs given up on two hits, one walk, and two strikeouts over his three innings pitched.
The Crawdads (26-27/64-59) will now head to Greensboro for a four game series against the Grasshoppers. First pitch Friday night from NewBridge Bank Park is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
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