The Hickory Crawdads had opportunities throughout the night and received multi-hit performances from several key hitters, but the Charleston RiverDogs capitalized on their chances Thursday, handing Hickory a 9-3 setback at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. The victory extended Charleston’s winning streak to 11 games and kept the RiverDogs atop the Carolina League South standings.

Despite the final score, the Crawdads showed flashes offensively against a Charleston club that has been one of the hottest teams in Minor League Baseball over the past two weeks.

Hickory struck first in the top of the third inning.

After a patient start at the plate, the Crawdads pushed across two runs in the frame. Angel Arredondo delivered an RBI single and later scored as Hickory grabbed a 2-0 lead. Paulino Santana collected one of his two hits in the inning as the Crawdads put early pressure on the Charleston starter.

The advantage was short-lived, however, as the RiverDogs answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning against Hickory starter Jesus Lafalaise.

Lafalaise battled through four innings, striking out six while allowing three runs on five hits.

The game remained close until Charleston created separation in the fifth inning. A two-run frame pushed the RiverDogs’ lead to 5-2 before a two-run homer in the seventh extended the margin.

Hickory continued to battle offensively. Braylin Morel finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while Santana also went 2-for-4. Marco Argudin stayed hot at the plate, collecting two hits and raising his season batting average to .444. Arredondo added a hit, an RBI and a run scored.

The Crawdads trimmed the deficit in the eighth inning when Morel’s RBI double plated Arredondo, making it 7-3. Hickory finished with seven hits and placed runners on base throughout the night, but Charleston’s bullpen limited further damage.

One bright spot defensively came from the outfield. Center fielder Marcos Torres recorded an outfield assist by throwing out a RiverDogs runner at second base, while Argudin added an assist from right field by cutting down a runner trying to score at the plate.

Reliever Frank Martinez worked 2 1/3 innings and struck out four, while Jake Jekielek finished the game for Hickory.

Although the loss dropped the Crawdads to 31-27, Hickory received encouraging performances from several of its young hitters. Santana, Morel and Argudin combined for six of the team’s seven hits, while Arredondo reached base twice and drove in a run.

The series continues Friday night in Charleston as the Crawdads look to slow the RiverDogs’ surge and gain ground in the first-half South Division race.