CRAWDADS SNEAK PAST SHOREBIRDS, 4-2, TO LEVEL SERIES

Orioles Second Rounder Givens Records RBI In Pro Debut

Hickory, N.C. – The Hickory Crawdads plated three runs in the seventh inning to defeat the Delmarva Shorebirds, 4-2, at L.P. Frans Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Crawdads raced to a 1-0 edge in the first inning. Leury Garcia led off with a single and reached second on an overthrow by left fielder Kieron Pope. Garcia then stole his 24th base of the year. Two batters later, he scored on a double to right-center by Miguel Valazquez.

In the top of the second, the ‘Birds responded. After two outs were recorded, Steve Bumbry drew a walk. Mychal Givens followed suit with a walk. Then, Michael Ohlman hit a soft line drive to right field to plate Bumbry to knot the game at 1-1.

The ‘Birds grabbed their first lead of the night in the sixth inning. Bumbry reached on a misplay at short by Leury Garcia. He advanced to second courtesy of a wild pitch. Bumbry then swiped third. Mychal Givens delivered his first professional hit, a chopper to short, to score Bumbry.

Hickory stormed into the lead in the seventh inning. Cristian Santana led off with a double to right-center field. After a pop out by Matt West, Ed Koncel hit a single into shallow center to tie the game at 2-2. He advanced to second on the throw home and scored on a single up the middle by Zach Zaneski to give the Crawdads a 3-2 lead. Then, Edwin Garcia singled to score Zaneski.

Shorebirds starter Kenny Moreland pitched well in 6.1 innings. He allowed just five hits. Moreland fanned three and did not issue a walk.

The Shorebirds put the first two runners on in the ninth inning but could not bring them home. Trevor Hurley retired Michael Ohlman, Garabez Rosa and Gary Helmick in succession to end the game.

Hector Nelo earned the win in 1.1 innings. Moreland was tagged with the loss.

The Shorebirds play three of the series on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. RHP Bobby Bundy makes his second start of the season.