Crawdads sweep doubleheader from Suns
HAGERSTOWN, M.D. - The Hagerstown Suns (33-28) South Atlantic League North Division title hopes took a blow Tuesday evening as they were swept in a doubleheader by the Hickory Crawdads (37-27) by scores of 6-2 and 1-0. The Suns are now 2.5 games back of the Crawdads with six games left to play before the All-Star Break.
With the score tied at two in the third inning of game one, Hickory scored two runs to take the lead for good. Designated hitter Nick Vickerson led off with a walk, and advanced to third on a double by 3B Joey Gallo. Vickerson scored when LF Nick Williams struck out on a passed ball. Second baseman Ryan Rua then brought home Gallo on a groundout to second.
Gallo added insurance in both the fifth and seventh innings when he blasted solo home runs to set the final score at 6-2. Gallo had a monster game for the Crawdads going 4-4 with a double, three home runs, and four RBI's.
LHP Frank Lopez (2-0) got the win for Hickory. Lopez worked five innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out eight. LHP Matt Purke (0-1) took the loss for Hagerstown. Purke pitched 4.2 innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out eight.
In game two the only scoring was done in the sixth inning. With one out Vickerson drew a walk. After Gallo struck out, Williams tripled to left-center field, allowing Vickerson to score the only run of the game.
LHP Andrew Faulkner (2-0) earned the victory for the Crawdads. Faulkner tossed five innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out seven. Dixon Anderson (4-4) suffered the loss for the Suns. Anderson pitched 5.2 innings, allowing one earned run on two hits and three walks while striking out a season high eleven batters.
The Suns and Crawdads will conclude their series with another double-header Wednesday evening with two more seven inning games being played. In the first game LHP Brett Mooneyham (1-1) will get the nod for Hagerstown, making his fifth start of the season. He will matchup against RHP Tyler Smith (4-4), who is making his tenth start of the season. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 6:05 p.m with game two starting 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.