Almost 2,500 fans packed L.P. Frans Stadium on Thursday morning, but the Hickory Crawdads came up short, losing 4-3 to the Rome Braves.

Rome took a 4-0 lead after scoring a run in the top of the third and three in the fourth.

The Crawdads rallied for three in the bottom of the inning to bring the game within one. Alejandro Osuna and Josh Hatcher singled to put runners on the corners. Geisel Cepeda singled to send in Osuna and drive the first run in. Griffin Cheney hit a sacrifice fly to left and Josh Hatcher tagged up and slid under the throw home to score. Angel Aponte capped off the rally with a single to right to drive in Cepeda from second.

The series will continue Friday night with 90’s Night and post-game fireworks thanks to Sheds Direct. It is also the final night of Salute to Scrubs courtesy of Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina.