The Hickory Crawdads split a doubleheader Saturday against the Rome Braves. Hickory won the first contest, 3-2 before falling in the nightcap, 9-3.

In game one, Hickory scored twice in the top of the sixth to take a two-run lead before Rome made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh to get within one. However, Yohanse Morel gave up a double and a walk, but got out of the jam to pick up his first save of the season.

With the game scoreless headed into the third inning, Hickory would strike first. Daniel Mateo singled to open up the inning and would steal second base. One out later, Keyber Rodriguez moved him over to third on a ground out. Tucker Mitchell would single, allowing Mateo to score.

Rome answered in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the game at one, but the Crawdads scored twice in the sixth inning. With one out, Mitchell would single. Two batters later, Max Acosta hit a home run to left field, giving Hickory a 3-1 lead. The Braves scored in the seventh, but it was not enough as Hickory won 3-2.

In game two, it was all Rome. The Braves scored five runs in the first inning, two more in the second and third inning and led 9-0 before Hickory got their first run in the game in the fourth inning. Abimelec Ortiz hit his team leading 16th homer of the season. Hickory added two more runs in the sixth inning for the final 9-3 score.

Hickory is 16-6 on the second half of the season, 43-40 overall. The Crawdads wrap up the series against Rome Sunday. Hickory is off on Monday and returns home to L.P. Frans Stadium Tuesday to begin a six-game series with the Hudson Valley Renegades.