Hickory Crawdads 2025 first game Recap: Late Surge Clinches 7-4 Win

The Hickory Crawdads started their 2025 season with a bang, rallying for 6 runs across the 8th and 9th innings to secure a 7-4 victory over the Asheville Tourists at L.P. Frans Stadium. Here’s the Hickory Crawdads 2025 opening game recap, detailing the crucial moments, standout performances, and what’s next in the series.

Game Breakdown

Down 3-1 in the top of the 8th, the Crawdads sparked a comeback. Maxton Martin doubled, driving in Chandler Pollard after a strikeout. Then, Pablo Guerrero reached base on a throwing error, allowing 2 runs to score and giving Hickory a 4-3 lead.

Crawdads pitcher Kai Wynyard (W, 1-0) (BS, 1) blew the 4-3 lead in the bottom of the 8th. However, the offense responded in the top of the 9th. Marcos Torres led off with a triple—his first of the season—and after a strikeout, Yeremy Cabrera singled in Torres, pushing the lead to 5-4 for the Crawdads. Rafe Perich followed with a double, driving in 2 more runs to extend the lead to 7-4, which stood as the final score. Wynyard pitched 2 innings, allowing 1 hit, 1 run, 4 walks, and recording 2 strikeouts, earning the win thanks to the late offensive outburst.

Turning Points

The Crawdads’ 6 runs in the final two innings—3 in the 8th and 3 in the 9th—turned a 3-1 deficit into a 7-4 win. The 8th-inning throwing error and the 9th-inning hits by Torres, Cabrera, and Perich were key in sealing the victory.

Next Up

Game 2 of this short 3-game series against the Asheville Tourists is scheduled for tonight at 6:00 PM, with Mason Molina taking the mound for the Crawdads.

Follow The Prospect Times for more updates as the Hickory Crawdads 2025 first game recap sets the tone for the season!