The Hickory Crawdads took down the Rome Braves by a score of 9-3 in Tuesday’s series opener at L.P. Frans Stadium.

The Crawdads opened the game up in the second, scoring six. Maximo Acosta started the inning with single and Geisel Cepeda hit a ground rule double to put runners in scoring position. Yosy Galan grounded out but was able to drive in Acosta. Cooper Johnson walked, putting runners up on the corners. Angel Aponte singled in a run and Ben Blackwell delivered an RBI double to bring the score to 3-0. Jayce Easley singled in Aponte and sent Blackwell to third before stealing his 24th base of the season to get into scoring position. Abimelec Ortiz doubled in both runners to cap off the rally.

The ‘Dads added another pair in the third as Cepeda reached on a base hit and Galan smacked a homer to left.

Acosta brought it to 9-0 with a two-out homerun in the fourth.

Emiliano Teodo tossed five scoreless innings for the ‘Dads, allowing just two hits and walking nine.

The Braves got three across in the eighth to make it 9-3, but the Crawdads closed it out after and secured the victory.

The Crawdads are 30-12 on the second half of the season, and 57-46 overall. Hickory hosts the Rome Braves through Sunday.