Ledbetter Goes Yard, Bowling Green Falls 8-4 in Hickory

Hickory, North Carolina – Colton Ledbetter clobbered his 15th homer of the season, but the Bowling Green Hot Rods (31-16, 67-46) fell to the Hickory Crawdads (26-24, 54-62) 8-4 on Wednesday from L.P. Frans Stadium

The Crawdads scored three runs in the bottom of the third against Hot Rods starter Brody Hopkins. The inning was highlighted by a two RBI single from Arturo Disla.

Bowling Green answered back with a run off Hickory starter Paul Bonzagni in the top of the fourth. Brock Jones doubled and moved to third on a fielding error. A wild pitch from Bonzagni scored Jones to make it 3-1.

After the Crawdads plated a run in the bottom of the fourth and fifth, the Hot Rods responded with two runs in the top of the sixth. Ledbetter and Mac Horvath singled, while Jones was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A fielding and throwing error from second baseman Danyer Cueva let Ledbetter and Horvath score to move the score, 5-3.

Hickory opened it up in the bottom of the sixth against Bowling Green reliever Dylan Lesko. The Crawdads scored three runs off four walks and three wild pitches to make it 8-3

Ledbetter socked a solo blast against Crawdads reliever Josh Mollerus in the top of the seventh, but Bowling Green went scoreless the rest of the way to lose 8-4.

Bonzagni (2-0) earned the win, letting up three runs (one earned) on five hits, a walk, and five strikeouts over 6.0 innings. Hopkins (1-2) took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits, three walks, and five strikeouts over 3.2 frames.

The Hot Rods and the Crawdads play game three of a six-game series on Thursday with first pitch set for 6:00 PM CT. Bowling Green starts RHP Ty Johnson (1-3, 2.63), while Hickory rolls out RHP Alejandro Rosario (1-1, 2.93).

Fans can catch all the action by watching on MiLB.tv, listening through the MiLB First Pitch App and BGHotRods.com. Fans can also secure their seats for future home Hot Rods games by calling (270) 901-2121, visiting the Bowling Green Ballpark box office during normal business hours, or going to www.bghotrods.com.

###

Hot Rods Baseball