18 Hits Power Crawdads to 6-2 Win
Hickory, NC - The Hickory Crawdads put out a consistent and unrelenting offensive attack Tuesday night in Asheville, as the 'Dads collected a hit in every inning to finish the game with 18 total knocks en route to a 6-2 win over the Asheville Tourists at McCormick Field.
All nine position players finished with at least one hit on the night, with LeDarious Clark going 4-5 with a double, two RBI, two runs scored, and three stolen bases to lead the way. Clark's steals also proved to be historic for the 'Dads as the stolen bases were numbers 210, 211, and 212 for the team on the season, setting a new franchise record.
The Crawdads jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first, when newcomer London Lindley lined a double off the left field fence before coming home to score on a 2-out, RBI single to left by Clark. The 'Dads double the advantaged to 2-0 in the second, this time on a double from Yeyson Yrizarri and a 2-out, RBI base knock by Brallan Perez.
The big frame for Hickory came in the third, with the club plating three runs on four hits to push their lead to 5-0. Back-to-back doubles from Frandy De La Rosa and Clark drove in the first tally, before Ricky Valencia crushed a 2-run home run to left for his third long ball of the season.
The Tourists got on the board against Crawdads starting pitcher Luke Lanphere in the bottom of the third, with a double from Max George and an RBI single by Terry McClure cutting the score to 5-1. The 'Dads responded in the top of the fifth though, when Clark singled to right, stole both second and third base, and eventually scored on a double play groundout from Yrizarri to put the club on top 6-1.
The record breaking steal for Hickory came two innings later in the seventh, as Clark lined a single to center for his fourth hit of the night before the speedster stole second base for his third swiped bag of the evening. The stolen base was the 212th of the season for the Crawdads, breaking a tie with the 2001 club for most in franchise history.
Asheville picked up one last unearned run in the top of the ninth on a throwing error from Perez at third base that allowed Brian Mundell to reach and eventually score on an BRI base knock to right by George. 'Dads reliever Peter Fairbanks shut the door there however, with a groundout of Eric Toole to finish off the 6-2 Hickory victory.
Lanphere (2-2) earned the win for the Crawdads after allowing one run on four hits, one walk, and five strikeouts during his six innings pitched, while Fairbanks (2) recorded the save with one unearned run allowed on three hits, one walk, and three strikeouts over three innings of relief. Tourists starter Javier Palacios (2-2) took the loss after allowing five runs on eight hits and four strikeouts during his three innings on the mound.
Joining Clark with a big night for the 'Dads bats was Valencia, who went 1-2 with a home run, two RBI and two walks. Lindley ended the game 2-5 with two doubles and a run scored, while Perez finished 2-5 with an RBI.
The Crawdads (33-31/71-63) and Tourists (30-33/64-68) will play again Wednesday night at 7:05 pm in game two of their 3-game series.
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