Warbirds, Crawdads Split Doubleheader

WILSON, N.C. - The Wilson Warbirds took down the Hickory Crawdads 12-4 in the first game of a doubleheader, but fell 8-5 in the nightcap on Tuesday night at Wilson Ballpark.

The first game was an extension of a game that began a month ago, with Wilson (64-54, 28-24 second half) already ahead 6-0. The Warbirds extended the lead to 10 as Filippo Di Turi and Rylan Mills blasted consecutive home runs in the fifth inning.

Despite a Hickory (71-47, 37-17 second half) grand slam in the seventh, the Warbirds were able to cruise to a 12-4 victory, moving a season-high ten games over .500.

Jarrette Bonet (W, 8-5) was masterful, tossing six shutout innings. Daniel Keany (L, 2-3) took the loss for Hickory.

In the second game, Hickory (72-47, 38-17 second half) was the squad to start off hot. The Crawdads plated two in the top of the first inning, led by a Paulino Santana RBI single.

Down 2-0 in the bottom of the second, Wilson (64-55, 28-25) pulled a run back with a Filippo Di Turi RBI knock.

The Crawdads pulled ahead 4-1 when Curley Martha singled in Deward Tovar in the top of the fourth.

Carsten Sabathia III tried to ignite a Wilson rally in the bottom of the fourth, launching a solo home run over the scoreboard in left field to bring the game to 4-2.

The Warbirds could not inch any closer as Seong-Jun Kim increased the lead to 6-2 with a two-run double in the fifth. Sebastian Baquera put the game away with a two-run single down the right field line.

Down 8-3, the Warbirds tried to stage a late comeback by scratching across two runs, but fell short.

Louis Marinaro (W, 7-2) earned the victory for Hickory.

Joey Broughton (L, 0-5) was the losing pitcher for Wilson.

The two teams return tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. RHP Miqueas Mercedes (2-1, 3.11) will toe the rubber for the Warbirds against Hickory’s RHP Seong-Jun Kim (0-0, 0.00). Tickets for tomorrow’s contest are available at WilsonWarbirds.com or by calling (919) 269-2287.