Crawdads Drop Home Opener 8-1 to BlueClaws

The Hickory Crawdads lost their 2024 home opener to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws 8-1 on Tuesday evening at LP Frans Stadium.

The BlueClaws were powered by a 12-hit attack, led by Troy Schreffler's three-hit performance and a pair of solo homers by Justin Crawford and Felix Reyes.

Crawford got the BlueClaws going in the first inning with an opposite field homer to left center field, giving Jersey Shore a 1-0 lead against Dads' starter Mitch Bratt.

The BlueClaws would extend their lead with a three-run second, followed by a three-run third to stake eventual winning pitcher Braedan Fausnaught to a seven run advantage.

Fausnaught (1-0) tossed five innings to earn the win, scattering four hits while striking out two Crawdads batters.

Reyes would close out the scoring for both clubs with a solo shot to left field, reclaiming the seven-run lead in the seventh inning.

The offensive bright spot for the Crawdads came in the fifth inning, as Cam Cauley doubled home Ian Moller to put Hickory on the board.

Cauley finished the night with a multi-hit contest along with Anthony Gutierrez, who also picked up an extra-base hit for the Crawdads.

Bratt (1-0) was saddled with the loss for Hickory, who will quickly turn their attention to a matinee at 11am, as Luis Ramirez will get the ball opposite Jersey Shore projected starter Elberson Castellano. The game will be an Education Day, presented by Dippin' Dots, and Senior Day, by OrthoCarolina.