Crawdads power past West Virginia, 7-2
The Crawdads (53-35, 13-7) again seized the lead right away, striking for a pair of runs in the first inning against LHP Zac Fuesser (L, 2-3). SS Jurickson Profar belted the first pitch of the game off the right field wall to start the frame with a double. After advancing to third on a fly out, Profar came in on an RBI double by 1B Andrew Clark, getting the first run on the board. RF Josh Richmond moved Clark to third with a single, and 2B Odubel Herrera brought him in with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.
The 'Dads built on the early lead in the top of the third. Profar was hit by a pitch and CF Teodoro Martinez laid down a bunt single, putting two on with no outs. Clark then hammered his third homer of the series over the right field wall, stretching the Crawdads lead to 5-0.
After RHP Roman Mendez (W, 7-1) dealt two scoreless innings to start his evening, the Power (41-47, 6-14) got on the board against him in the bottom of the third. With two on and two down, CF Mel Rojas, Jr. lined an RBI single to right field, scoring LF Rogelio Noris from third base to cut the 'Dads lead to 5-1.
Mendez kept the Power at bay through two more scoreless innings in the fourth anf fifth, before West Virginia pulled one run closer in Mendez's final frame of work in the sixth. 2B Kevin Mort started the inning with a walk and darted to second base on a missed-catch error committed by 1B Jhonny Gomez on a pick-off throw. Mort advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, before coming home on an RBI fielder's choice by DH Cole White, bringing the Power within three, 5-2.
That was as close as West Virginia would come though, with RHP Joe Van Meter (S, 5) dealing three scoreless innings to close the game and the Crawdads plating a pair of unearned insurance runs on two Power errors in the eighth, accounting for the 7-2 victory for Hickory.
Click here for the complete box score.
Crawdads Clippings:
The Crawdads continue their road trip on Thursday vs. the Power at 7:05 p.m. Catch all of the action live on The Big Dawg 92.1FM and Hickorycrawdads.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for Crawdads Countdown.
The Crawdads will return home on Wed., July 20 to kick off a seven-game homestand with Redneck Night against the Greensboro Grasshoppers. First Pitch is at 7 p.m., gates open at 6 p.m.
It will also be Guaranteed WINsday, with all fans in attendance receiving a FREE ticket to a future game this season if the 'Dads don't win. Also, July 20 will be another Conrad's Self-Esteem Wednesday. Say the words "Conrad's Self-Esteem" at the Ticket Office and get a Half Off Ticket to the game, with $2 going to Catawba Valley Behavioral Healthcare. Also, Wednesday is Unemployment Night - show your NCESC-issued debit card or online statement for four free tickets to the game.
Get Tickets:
Individual tickets, corporate partnerships, group outings and ticket plans for the 2011 season are available right now at the Crawdads Front Office or by calling (828) 322-3000. You can even purchase and print your tickets from the comfort of your home on Hickorycrawdads.com!