Joe Mikulik

HICKORY ó The Hickory Crawdads cruised to a 7-1 victory over the Asheville Tourists in front of 2,179 fans last Sunday afternoon.

The Hickory win was keyed by an RBI single by Jose L. De Los Santos in a four-run fifth inning. De Los Santos finished 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.

De Los Santosí RBI single highlighted a four-run fifth inning for the Crawdads (25-35).

For Asheville (39-23), the run production came at the end, as Jay Cox hit a solo homer in the ninth, his second of the season.

Tourists starter Keith Weiser (8-3), who recorded the loss, allowed four runs on five hits in five innings.
In other recent Touristsí baseball action:

ï The Crawdads rallied to score three runs in the eighth inning to beat the Tourists 5-2 in front of 4,338 fans last Saturday night in Hickory. Leading Asheville offensively was Matthew Repec, who finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Taking the loss was reliever James Burok (1-1), who allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits in one inning.

ï Fueled by Daniel Mayoraís pair of two-run homers, Asheville ripped Hickory 10-3 in front of 2,775 fans last Friday night at McCormick Field. The Tourists scored nine runs on 10 hits to take a 9-1 lead after the first three innings, during which span Mayora smashed both of his homers. He finished 3-for-5. Picking up the win for Asheville was starter Any Graham (6-4), who allowed one run on five hits. He struck out eight.

ï Asheville manager Joe Mikulik broke the team record for managerial wins as his Tourists whipped Hickory 12-3 in front of 2,818 fans last Thursday night at Frans Stadium in Hickory. Mikulik (519-505 in his eighth season) topped long-time record-holder Ray Hathaway, who was 518-410 in three stints with Asheville. The Tourists were led by outfielder Victor Ferrante, who smashed a three-run homer in the seventh inning and followed up with a grand slam in the eighth inning. He finished 3-for-5 with seven RBIs and three runs scored. Getting the win for Asheville was starter Simon Ferrer (4-3), who allowed three runs on six hits in 6-2/3 innings.

ï The Tourists topped the Augusta (Ga.) GreenJackets 5-3 in front of 2,321 fans at McCormick Field on June 5, enabling Ashevilleís Joe Mikulik to tie the team record with 518 managerial wins. Ironically, Mikulik was ejected from the game in the second inning after a confrontation with an umpire, during which he engaged in a hat-throwing, trash-talking tirade. Asheville jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings, but Augusta tied the game by scoring three runs in the sixth inning. However, the Tourists scored two runs in the eighth inning to secure the victory. Recording the win was reliever James Burok, who pitched one hitless inning. Earning his seventh save was Tommy Baumgardner, who allowed one hit in one inning.