Crawdads Power Past Shorebirds, 12-0
Hickory, NC - The Hickory Crawdads (39-30) hit four home runs and cruised to a 12-0 win over the Delmarva Shorebirds (29-37) on Saturday night at L.P. Frans Stadium. The Crawdads recorded a season high 21 hits. The 12 runs are the most the Shorebirds have given up this year.
Hickory jumped on Lex Rutledge in the first inning. Nick Vickerson reached on an infield single to open the first. Then, Joey Gallo connected on his 22nd home run of the year to put the 'Dads in front 2-0. After Rutledge struck out the next two hitters, three consecutive singles produced the third run.
In the third, Hickory added four runs off Matt Hobgood to build a 7-0 lead. Jorge Alfaro doubled off the wall with one out. Then, Nomar Mazara singled to score Alfaro. Later, with the bases loaded, Hobgood walked Vickerson to force in Mazara. Then, Joey Gallo hit a two-run single to right field.
Shorebirds starter Rutledge struck out six batters in two innings. He allowed three runs on five hits, all in the first inning.
Hickory added to the lead in the fourth on a solo home run by Ryan Rua, his 21st of the year. Later, Lewis Brinson singled to left to score Alfaro to increase the lead to 9-0.
Hickory starter Connor Sadzeck earned the win over five innings. He allowed two hits and no runs.
The Crawdads added to their lead in the seventh inning with two more home runs. Vickerson led off with his third home run of the year. Two batters later, Rua hit a two-run homer to left-center, his second of the game.
Ashur Tolliver entered in the fifth inning and allowed three runs and six hits in three innings pitched. Mychal Givens tossed a scoreless eighth inning.
Hickory relievers Ryan Bores and Jose Valdespina held the Shorebirds to three hits and no runs over the final four innings.
The Shorebirds and Crawdads play the first half finale on Sunday, June 16 at 5:00pm. RHP Parker Bridwell is the scheduled starter for Delmarva.