Claws Late Rally Falls Short; Dads Take Finale 10-8

HICKORY, NC - The BlueClaws scored five times in the ninth inning but it wasn't quite enough as Hickory held on for a 10-8 Sunday win at LP Frans Stadium. The teams split their six game series.

The BlueClaws, who trailed 10-2 entering the last inning, return home at 5-4 through nine games.

Hickory struck first, taking a 1-0 first inning lead on an RBI single by Anthony Gutierrez. The BlueClaws tied the game in the second on a solo home run by Zach Arnold, his first as a BlueClaw. Hickory re-gained the lead in the bottom of the inning on a two-run double from Yeison Morrobel to give Hickory a 3-1 lead that they would not relinquish.

The BlueClaws did get one back in the fourth on an RBI double from Hendry Mendez, but Hickory plated five runs in the fourth inning to blow open the game. Morrobel singled home two before Tucker Mitchell launched a grand slam off starter Estibenzon Jimenez. Jimenez (0-2) was charged with eight runs in four innings and took the loss.

Cade Fergus homered for the BlueClaws in the sixth, his first of the season, before Yosy Galan hit a two run shot off Jonathan Petit in the seventh.

Trailing 10-3, the BlueClaws got going in the ninth. Jordan Dissin singled in two runs and William Bergolla then tripled in two more to cut the lead to 10-7. Andrick Nava then singled home Bergolla to bring the tying run to the plate.

Hickory brought in Larson Kindreich, who got Arnold to line out to short to end the game and earn the save.

Andrew Walling, Danny Wilkinson, and Wesley Moore all threw scoreless innings in relief for Jersey Shore.

Mendez, Pineda, Bergolla, and Arnold all had two hits for the BlueClaws in the loss.

The BlueClaws return home on Tuesday and start a six game series with Brooklyn (Mets). Tickets are on sale now online at BlueClaws.com.

-Jersey Shore BlueClaws-