The Hickory Crawdads lost their first contest of the season Wednesday night on the road to the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 7-5. The ‘Dads were doomed but a four run fifth inning by Wilmington, and were matched every time they scored after that point.

Wilmington took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, and the Crawdads wouldn’t score until the fourth. With one out, Josh Hatcher was walked. Cody Freeman then launched his first home run of the season to right field to take a 2-1 lead.

The Crawdads went long again in the top of the fifth inning when Angel Aponte homered in the first at-bat of the inning. However, Wilmington took the lead for good with four runs in the home half of the inning.

Hickory tried to answer in the sixth with a run. With one away, Hatcher doubled. One out later, Geisel Cepeda singled to bring in Hatcher. However, the Blue Rocks answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth.

In the eighth inning, with one out, Frainyer Chavez walked. Two batters later, Chavez stole second. Cody Freeman would single allowing Chavez to score. Hickory would be down by only a run, but Wilmington would also score a run in the home half of the eighth for the final 7-5 score.

Freeman led the way at the plate with a two-for-four night with a run scored and three RBI. Hickory starting pitcher Gavin Collyer went 3.1 innings, allowing three hits and one run while striking out four and walking two.

Hickory is 2-1 on the season. They will face Wilmington again Thursday.