Hoppers get a win at “Home”…

Hickman Plates Game-Winning Run With Fifth-Inning Double

Greensboro Snaps Nine-Game Home Losing Steak in Series Finale

Greensboro, N.C. – Bryan Petersen and Ryan Curry hit back-to-back home runs for Greensboro to lead off the bottom half of the first inning as the Hoppers took the series finale, 8-6, against Lake County to snap a nine-game home losing streak.

A three-hit, four-run first inning may have disappointed some fans, but the Hoppers (19-17) made sure to put on a show of their own in the home half of the frame. Petersen started in the leadoff spot for manager Edwin Rodriguez’s lineup and it proved to be just the kick the Hoppers needed as the right-fielder slugged his fourth home run of the season in Greensboro’s first plate appearance of the afternoon. Curry followed with his sixth homer of the season to pull the Hoppers within two.

Cristhian Martinez was able to collect his composure after a rough first inning on the mound left the game after five-plus innings of work with a 7-5 lead. From the bullpen, Don Czyz, Corey Madden and Garrett Parcell combined to toss four shutout innings and Martinez garnered his fourth victory while Parcell earned his eighth save.

With one out in the fifth inning, Lake County’s Chris Archer walked Curry and hesitated on an infield grounder allowing Hunter Mense to reach first on a fielder’s choice and Curry to advance safely to second. After walking Ryan Anetsberger to load the bases, Josh Judy came in to relieve Archer and allowed Tom Hickman to hit a bases-clearing double to give Greensboro the lead.

Hickman was walked to lead of the fourth inning, extending his consecutive games on-base streak to 17. He later scored the first of two Greensboro runs in the inning as the Hoppers narrowed the gap to one before providing the eventual game-winning hit.

The win came on just six hits and snapped a franchise-long, nine-game home losing streak for the Hoppers, keeping Greensboro in third place of the South Atlantic League’s Northern Division, three games back of Lake County.

Greensboro continues its eight-game homestand Monday in the first of four games against Lakewood. The series is packed with excitement for the fans including “Babe’s Bark in the Park” on Tuesday, AIG United Guaranty School Day on Wednesday and the homestand finale falls on Thirsty Thursday.

RHP Brett Durand (4-1, 6.00) will take the mound in the series opener Monday at 7:00 p.m.; Lakewood is scheduled to counter with RHP Julian Sampson (2-1, 6.12).

*****from Justin Stottlemyre Hoppers’ media assistant*****