'Dads Outgunned by 'Jackets in 11-1 Loss

Hickory, NC - One night after an inconsistent Hickory Crawdads lineup produced a season-high 12 runs and a win, the Augusta GreenJackets struggling bats came alive with a season-high 11 runs to send the 'Dads to an 11-1 defeat in front of 2,673 fans at L.P. Frans Stadium.

The 11-run outburst marked the first time this season that Augusta scored in double digits, with the 'Jackets also launching a season-high three homers in the game. The GreenJackets entered their series in Hickory with only six home runs on the season, but depart the series having hit seven total homers in the 4-game set.

Eight of the nine Augusta starters reached base at least once, with six of the nine posting a multi-hit game. Boone, NC native Ryder Jones helped lead the attack with a 2-5 game, including a 2-run homer. Teammates Leonardo Rojas (2-4, HR, RBI) and John Polonius (2-4, HR, 3 RBI) also went deep in the game.

The GreenJackets scored single runs in the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd to take a 3-0 lead, then put up two more runs in the 5^th and another single tally in the 6^th to go ahead 6-0. Following the lone Hickory run in the 7^th, Augusta went yard twice in a five-run 8^th to cap the scoring at 11-1.

Crawdads starting pitcher David Ledbetter (1-4) took the loss while struggling to miss bats in the game, with the right-hander allowing five runs, four earned, on eight hits (one homer) over his five innings pitched. Hickory relievers Ricardo Rodriguez (2 IP, 4 ER) and Josh McElwee (2 IP, 2 ER) also labored against the GreenJackets attack.

The 'Dads bats were held in check by Augusta starting pitcher Luis Ysla (1-2), who earned the win after starting the game with five perfect frames en route to going a season-high eight innings while allowing only one run on two hits, no walks, and seven strikeouts.

Evan Van Hoosier kept the 'Dads from the shutout when he tripled to lead off the seventh, and came in one batter later on a RBI sacrifice fly by Ryan Cordell. Van Hoosier finished the game 1-4 with a triple and a run scored, while Jairo Beras went 1-3 for the other Crawdads hit.

The Crawdads (16-21) and GreenJackets (17-21) part ways with a four-game series split. The 'Dads will now go on the road for a weeklong trip through Charleston and Kannapolis. Game one against the RiverDogs on Wednesday is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

 

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