The Rocks set the tone early in the game with a James Wood two-run home run in the first inning to make it 2-0, his first long ball of the season.
The Crawdads had a response in the top of the third, with Max Acosta blasting a three-run homer to the opposite field, giving Hickory the 3-2 lead. However, Wilmington wasted no time getting a run right back as James Wood came through once again with a sacrifice fly in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game up at three runs a piece.
The Crawdads were able to strike back in the top of the fifth, as a wild pitch by Blue Rocks’ pitcher Andry Lara allowed Angel Aponte to score from third. As a result, Hickory re-took the lead, 4-3.
That would end up being the final run scored by the Crawdads, as it was all Blue Rocks from there on out. In the bottom of the seventh, Jeremy De La Rosa sneaked a single through the left side, scoring Derek Hill and tying the game up at four. In the next inning, pinch hitter Jacob Young lined a base hit to center field to score Leandro Emiliani and give the Rocks a permanent 5-4 lead.
De La Rosa led the Rocks’ lineup, going 3-4 with an RBI and a run scored. James Wood went 1-3 with a home run and three RBI, and the Viandel Peña and Derek Hill duo went 2-3 a piece.
On the mound, Wilmington starter Andry Lara went five innings, allowing five hits, four runs, and two walks while striking out four. The Blue Rocks bullpen was lights out, combining four innings, two hits, no runs, and nine strikeouts.
The Blue Rocks will look to secure a series tie against the Crawdads in their next matchup on Friday, April 14.
