Forrest Wall went 2-for-4 and Shane Hoelscher hit a two run home run Monday night, but it wasn't enough to overcome the strong pitching performance by Hickory's starter Pedro Payano.
HICKORY, NC -- Asheville ran into a buzzsaw named Pedro Payano on Monday evening dropping the first game of the best-of-five championship series 7-2. The Tourists were unable to mount any significant offense against the right handed pitcher who struck out eight batters in six shutout innings, scattering six hits, while not allowing a walk.
The Tourists threatened a couple of times in the game, most notably in the third and fourth innings when Tourist baserunners made critical mistakes to erase the threat.