CRAWDADS EDGE SHOREBIRDS 3-1 IN FINALE TO WIN SERIES

‘Birds Open Four Game Series at Perdue on Friday

Hickory, N.C. – The Hickory Crawdads plated two runs on three Shorebirds errors in the sixth inning to top the ‘Birds in the finale, 3-1, on Thursday night at L.P. Frans Stadium. The Shorebirds went just 1-for-11 at the plate with runners in scoring position.

The Crawdads took a 1-0 lead in the third inning. After Luis Noel retired the first two batters, Joe Bonadonna singled to right field. Then, Leury Garcia lifted a triple to right-center field to plate Bonadonna from first.

The Shorebirds tied the contest in the sixth inning. Ty Kelly led off with a bunt single and reached second on a wild throw to first by Matt West. Brian Conley then placed a sacrifice bunt down to advance Kelly to third. Kieron Pope followed with a chopper up the middle to score Kelly.

The Crawdads responded in the home half of the sixth. Leury Garcia reached on an error by Tyler Stampone. Then, Travis Adair placed a bunt towards the mound and Luis Noel fired the throw off the back of Adair, allowing Garcia to score. After a passed ball moved Adair to third, he scored on a single by Miguel Velazquez to stretch the lead to 3-1.

Robbie Ross earned the win in seven stellar innings. He allowed seven hits and an unearned run. Shorebirds starter Luis Noel picked up the loss in six innings of work. Noel allowed only five hits and one earned run.

The Delmarva Shorebirds return to Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Friday night to begin a four-game series against the Lakewood BlueClaws. LHP Nathan Moreau will make the start in game one for Delmarva.