'Dads Extinguish Fireflies on Opening Night

Hickory, NC- The Hickory Crawdads opened up the 2026 schedule with a come-from-behind win against the Columbia Fireflies in front of more than 2,000 fans Thursday night at LP Frans Stadium.

The Crawdads opened their second campaign in the Carolina League with a sterling starting effort from Evan Siary. The right-hander struck out eight batters in four innings while surrendering just one run to give the ‘Dads a 2-1 lead heading to the fifth.

Columbia rallied in the fifth inning, with a three-run frame capped off by a two-run single from Yandel Ricardo to recover the lead at 4-3.

JC Vanek opened the frame with an opposite field homer to knot the contest at 2-2. The blast from Vanek was the first at the Frans this season.

However, the Crawdads (1-0) would reclaim the lead for good, as Angel Arredondo singled to left field in the seventh inning to give the Hickory Crawdads a 5-4 advantage. The single plated Yolfran Castillo and Paulino Santana.

Geury Rodriguez (1-0) would pitch a scoreless eighth to earn the win while JD McReynolds picked up his first save of the new campaign. Henson Leal was pegged with the loss for Columbia (0-1).

Castillo earned a multi-hit game for the winners, with Josh Springer getting two knocks in the win for the Crawdads.

Tomorrow, the Crawdads will send Jesus Lafalaise to the bump for the 7pm start.