Tourists Drop Series Opener to Crawdads, 4-1

ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Tourists entertained the team with the best second half record on Tuesday night, the Hickory Crawdads. The series opener was highlighted by excellent pitching from both sides. Ultimately, Hickory’s Jose Corniell was too much for Asheville and the visitors held on to win 4-1.

Asheville’s lone run came in the bottom of the fifth inning. Austin Deming and Michael Sandle hit back-to-back singles to lead off the frame and put runners at the corners. Jacob Melton bounced into a double-play which scored Deming.

Hickory hit a trio of leadoff Home Runs; the second, the fifth, and the ninth innings. The Crawdads also plated a run in the third but some tremendous pitching by Joey Mancini kept Hickory from adding more. Mancini went four innings, allowed two runs, and struck out five. Miguel Ullola pitched the next four frames, gave up one run on one hit, and struck out eight.

The Tourists were held without a baserunner for the final four innings. Nine of Asheville’s last 11 at-bats ended with a strikeout. Corniell pitched a career-high seven innings and matched a career-high with nine strikeouts. Hickory’s Gavin Collyer tossed the final two frames for his first save of the year.

Asheville and Hickory are back in action on Wednesday night for Game Two. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm ET.