Morrobel Mashes, Montalvo Shoves in Doubleheader Sweep

Hickory, NC- The Hickory Crawdads got a pair of sensational pitching performances from Joseph Montalvo and Winston Santos to win both ends of a Saturday night doubleheader against Greensboro at LP Frans Stadium. Game one was a shutout for Hickory, winning 3-0, while the second contest went the Crawdads' way by a 7-5 final score.

In the opener, Montalvo dealt six scoreless frames en route to his first win of 2024. Montalvo surrendered a fourth inning single to Hudson Head after walking Termarr Johnson earlier in the frame. The safety from Hudson Head was the only thing separating the club from a combined no-hitter, as Skylar Hales tossed an inning of hitless relief in the seventh to secure his second save of the season.

Offensively, Quincy Scott and Konner Piotto earned multi-hit games, pacing the Crawdads to three runs in their first three at-bats against Greensboro starter Hunter Barco. Piotto's knocks also drove home Quincy Scott twice, extending the Hickory lead to the final 3-0 margin.

In the nightcap, Yeison Morrobel homered twice and drove home four runs, creating a working lead for Crawdads starter Winston Santos.

Morrobel's first blast followed a two-out walk for Sebastian Walcott, as the Crawdads' outfielder sent a high drive deep over the right field wall to put the 'Dads on the board 2-0.

In the fourth, the fans were in need of Morrobel and he delivered a prodigious blast beyond the right field wall, regaining a two-run lead off Grasshoppers starter Patrick Reilly. His four RBI in the contest ties him with Quincy Scott for the club lead with 16 on the year.

Jesus Moreno would stretch the fourth-inning lead to 6-2 with a double to the left field corner, plating Yosy Galan and Jayce Easley.

Galan would double home Sebastian Walcott for the final Hickory run, giving the 'Dads a 7-2 advantage.

Santos earned his fifth win of the season, keeping him atop the South Atlantic League lead in victories.

Morrobel moved his streak of reaching base to eleven games. In that span, Morrobel has hit at a .405 clip (15-37).

Aidan Curry takes the mound for Hickory in tomorrow's series finale. It will be a Mother’s Day Celebration and the first 100 moms will get a carnation from Whitfield’s Flowers and More. First pitch is slated for 2pm, with the Crawdads Pregame Show getting started at 1:45pm on hickorycrawdads.com, MiLB.TV and the Bally Live app.