A pitcher who was pitching in New Jersey 36 days ago made a huge impact on the conclusion of the Hickory Crawdads’ season.
Greensboro starter James Leaverton combined with two relievers to handcuff the Crawdads 2-0 on Friday night at L.P. Frans Stadium and win a best-of-three South Atlantic League baseball playoff series two games to none.
The Grasshoppers (81-60) had won Game 1 in Greensboro 5-4 in 15 innings on Wednesday night. They now advance to play for the SAL championship against Savannah (Ga.) or Augusta (Ga.) in a five-game series.
The two Georgia teams play a decisive Game 3 on Saturday in Savannah to decide the league’s Southern Division champion.
The first two games of the championship series will be Monday and Tuesday in Greensboro.
Hickory, which won the Northern Division first-half title winner and tied Greensboro for the second-half title, finished 79-60.
Pitching against the SAL’s top hitting team, Leaverton allowed only two hits and a walk while striking out 10 in seven innings.
The only hits by Hickory were singles by Tomas Telis in the fourth inning and a bunt by Kellin Deglan in the seventh.
After being released by the Chicago Cubs last season, Leaverton pitched most of the season with the New Jersey Jackals of the independent Can-Am League.
He signed with the Florida Marlins in late July and helped pitch the ‘Grasshoppers into the playoffs with a strong month of August.
Leaverton came into Game 2 of the series with a 3-2 record with a 1.61 ERA and 35 strikeouts. He was originally drafted in 2008 in the eighth round by the Cubs as the 251 st overall pick.
“Thank the good Lord that he was available,” said Greensboro manager Andy Haines. “It didn’t work out for him with the Cubs.
“Just by chance, he wanted a fresh start and we’re giving it to him and he’s taken full advantage.
“We’re really impressed to watch what he did against that lineup.”
Grant Dayton pitched a perfect eighth inning and closer Michael Brady retired all three he faced in the ninth for the save.
Hickory starter Will Lamb nearly matched Leaverton pitch-for-pitch, allowing one run on four hits with eight strikeouts in five innings.
Lamb’s only mistake came in the second inning when Ryan Fisher crushed a pitch to right for a home run.
The Grasshoppers scored an insurance run in the top of the seventh against reliever Ben Henry.
After Isaac Galloway worked a leadoff walk, Dan Black popped up a bunt into foul territory. Catcher Kellin Deglan caught the ball on a head-first dive near the backstop by the third base dugout.
Seeing the play develop, Galloway tagged up at first and slid in to second ahead of Deglan’s throw. Noah Perio then blooped a single to left to score Galloway.
“Our guy busted his (tail) going for it,” said Hickory manager Bill Richardson. “They hit a home run and a bloop single and they win 2-0.
“You can’t win too many games without scoring runs. It’s just disappointing for those kids. They worked so hard.”
After leading the SAL with a .277 batting average, the Crawdads hit only .179 in the division series and had 26 strikeouts.
Despite the disappointment of the playoff loss, Richardson feels the Crawdads accomplished much in their development during the season.
“This one hurts more than any other, but we didn’t get it done,” Richardson said. “For the kids it’s more frustrating.
“You talk about the accomplishments and there are a lot, but they don’t feel that right now.
“The effort was never challenged. They played hard every game and I’m really proud of them.”
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