9th Inn. Balk Snaps 'Dads Win Streak

Greensboro, NC - The Hickory Crawdads had their four-game win streak snapped with an unusual defeat Monday night in Greensboro, as a 3-3 tie in the ninth inning was snapped on a balk that plated a run for the Grasshoppers resulting in a 4-3 'Dads defeat at NewBridge Bank Park.

The Crawdads and 'Hoppers entered the final frame in a 3-3 tie thanks to a two-run rally by Hickory in the eighth. Greensboro was able to get runners to the corners with two outs against 'Dads reliever Adam Choplick before Crawdads manager Steve Mintz brought in Tyler Ferguson to try to escape the jam and force extra innings. Field umpire Matt Carlyon called a balk on Ferguson one pitch into the next at-bat however, which forced in the runner from third base resulting in the 4-3 final score.

Offense was at a premium through the first half of the game, with an RBI groundout by Carlos Arroyo in the third giving Hickory a 1-0 lead. That score held until the fifth, when the Grasshoppers scored two runs on an RBI single from Casey Soltis and an RBI sacrifice fly by Giovanny Alfonzo to go on top 2-1. The 'Hoppers picked up another tally in the top of the sixth when Justin Twine doubled, Isael Soto singled to right, and Angel Reyes delivered an RBI groundout to push the score to 3-1.

The 'Dads bats were able to rally in the top of the eighth though, with Ti'Quan Forbes plating Josh Altmann on a two-out, RBI double to right before Ricky Valencia tied the game at 3-3 with an RBI base knock to center.

The Crawdads then took the field in the bottom of the ninth hoping to force extra innings. Choplick struck out Zach Sullivan to open the frame, but Soltis followed with an infield single followed by a passed ball by Valencia behind the plate to put the winning run in scoring position. Soltis advanced to third on a groundout for the second out of the inning, before Hickory intentionally walked Mason Davis and brought in Ferguson to pitch to Twine with runners on the corners. Ferguson would never get a chance to escape the inning however, as he was called for a balk prior to his second pitch resulting in the run scoring from third for the 4-3 final.

Choplick (2-2) took the loss for the Crawdads after allowing one run on two hits, three walks, and three strikeouts over his 1.2 innings pitched. Grasshoppers reliever C.J. Robinson (2-1) earned the win despite blowing the save in the eighth, as the right-hander gave up two runs on three hits and one walk during his two innings on the mound.

'Dads starting pitcher Emerson Martinez was given a no-decision despite throwing a career-long seven innings with three runs allowed on five hits, one walk, and five strikeouts.

Altmann finished the night 2-3 with a triple, a hit-by-pitch, a stolen base, and a run scored, while Forbes went 1-2 with an RBI double, two hit-by-pitches, two steals, and a run scored. Valencia also ended the game reaching base three times courtesy of an RBI single, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch.

The Crawdads (29-28/67-60) will now return to Hickory for a six-game homestand beginning Tuesday night at 7:00 pm against the Asheville Tourists.

 

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