The Hickory Crawdads opened up their series against the Aberdeen Ironbirds last night in Maryland with a 5-2 win.

The Crawdads spotted two runs, one in the first two innings, before scoring their first run. In the top of the third inning, Daniel Mateo tripled and came home on a sac fly from Griffin Cheney. But most of Hickory’s damage came in the top of the fourth inning. Abimelec Ortiz singled and then Tucker Mitchell was hit by a pitch. One out later, Geisel Cepeda singled, allowing Ortiz to score. After an Aberdeen pitching change, Mateo singled clearing the bases.

In the eighth inning, Cameron Cauley drew a walk and would steal second base. Cody Freeman knocked him home on a single to right field, giving Hickory the final 5-2 win.

Mateo was the only Crawdads with multiple hits, going two-for-four batting with a run scored and two RBI.

After giving up the two early runs, Crawdads starter Nick Lockhart settled down to pitch 4.1 innings, allowing six hits and striking out one. Leury Tejada recorded the win, pitching 2.2 innings, allowing only one hit. Juan Mejia pitched an inning, allowing only one hit while striking out one and Andy Rodriguez closed the door with an inning pitched, striking out two.

Hickory is still in first place in the South Division of the South Atlantic League, with a record of 20-10 on the second half of the season. They are 47-44 overall this year. The Crawdads remain in Aberdeen this week.