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Power surge

W. Virginia rallies with 5-run seventh, tops ’Dads

John M Setzler Jr.

Hickory’s Doug Hogan (16) scores on a wild pitch by West Virginia pitcher Brian Leach (48) during the bottom of the fourth inning Tuesday at L.P. Frans Stadium.

By W.D FISHER

Record Sports Correspondent

Published: August 12, 2009

HICKORY - The Hickory Crawdads just couldn't stand a little prosperity.

West Virginia erased a three-run deficit en route to a 6-3 win in South Atlantic League play at L.P. Frans Stadium Tuesday.

Hickory (54-59, 21-23 second half) extended its losing streak to season-high five games and continued its downward side.

West Virginia (50-61, 23-18) swept the four-game series, marking the first time this season Hickory has been swept in a series.

West Virginia outscored Hickory 27-11 and out hit the Crawdads 47-28 in the four games.

Hickory has allowed 10-plus hits in three straight games, and seven of the last eight outings.

The last time Hickory held an opponent to single digits in hits was Saturday in the series opener with West Virginia.

The Power leads the season series 8-4, and has won five straight against Hickory.

The last win against the Power was June 20 (11-3) at home.

Hickory was its worst enemy at times, going 2-for-24 with runners in scoring position in the four-game series.

The last series Hickory won was July 13-16 at Charleston (3-1).

Hickory is 2-9 in its last 11 games.

Hickory built a 3-0 lead after five innings off six hits to put itself in position to end the skid.

"We were able to get ahead, but we should have had more," said Hickory manager Hector Ortiz. "We left too many runners in scoring position."

The Crawdads got a solo home run from Mike Hollander in the third, and added two in the fourth off two hits, two walks and a wild pitch.

Hickory had its chances early to build on the lead, but stranded three runners in scoring position and was 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position through the first four innings.

Following a scoreless fifth inning, the Power responded in the sixth and seventh innings with six runs off eight hits.

Trailing 3-1 entering the seventh, West Virginia sent 10 batters to the plate, scored five runs off six hits and two errors.

Kyle Morgan scored the go-ahead run on a infield single by Starling Marte and a throwing error by shortstop Leury Garcia for a 4-3 lead.

West Virginia added two more runs and shut down Hickory over the final four innings.

Over the final four innings, Hickory sent two over the minimum to the plate, and didn't have a player advance past second.

Hickory was retired in order in two of its final four at bats.

The only runner to advance past first over the final four innings was Andres James in the ninth when he singled and stole second.

Hickory starter Wilmer Font did his part holding the Power to no runs, two hits while walking three and striking out four over five innings.

The Power did its damage against relievers Mark Hamburger and Tyler Tufts.

"Our bullpen wasn't able to protect the lead and we have to find a way to start doing that," said Ortiz.
West Virginia scored all six runs off seven hits against Hamburger and Tufts.

Tufts (3-2) took the loss and also posted his fourth blown save of the season allowing five runs off five hits on 2/3 inning.

On July 22, Hickory was tied for first with Kannapolis in the Northern Division, 1 1/2 games ahead of Lakewood.

Since then in the last 20 games, Hickory is 7-13.

The Crawdads loss coupled with Kannapolis' loss to Greensboro keeps Hickory seven games back of the first-place Intimidators.

Despite the recent slide, Ortiz feels the Crawdads are capable of winning the second half title and making the four-team playoff.

"The effort is there, but a lot of these kids have not played these number of games and they are feeling a little fatigue," said Ortiz. "They have to grind it out, compete and give it the best they have got."

Hickory has today off before opening a four-game series at Bowling Green starting Thursday at 7:35 p.m.