The Delmarva Shorebirds fell 3-0 to the Hickory Crawdads on Friday, August 21, 2026, in Hickory, North Carolina. This loss marked the Shorebirds’ second consecutive defeat against Hickory, which scored all three runs in the fifth inning.
Esteban Mejia pitched 3.1 scoreless innings for the Shorebirds, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out five. The outing marked his third consecutive scoreless start, showcasing his strong form on the mound.
Hickory Scores Three Runs in the Fifth
The game remained scoreless until the fifth inning, when Sebastian Baquera reached on a bunt single. Two errors occurred on the play, allowing the Hickory Crawdads to take a 1-0 lead.
Marco Argudin and Pablo Guerrero followed with run-producing singles that extended Hickory’s advantage to 3-0. The three-run inning provided all the offense the Crawdads needed to secure the victory.
Morales and Barbee Complete Shutout
Hickory starter Moises Morales held the Shorebirds scoreless for six innings. He allowed five hits, issued no walks and struck out four while earning the win to improve to 9-2.
Jake Barbee recorded the final nine outs over three scoreless innings to complete the shutout. Barbee earned his first save, while Brandon Downer took the loss and fell to 1-1.
Delmarva entered the game with a 42-76 overall record and a 19-33 mark in the league. Hickory entered with a 69-46 overall record and 35-16 in the league.
Saturday Pitching Matchup
The Delmarva Shorebirds are scheduled to send Francisco Morao to the mound on Saturday against Hickory starter Jacob Johnson. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Esteban Mejia kept Delmarva in the game with 3.1 scoreless innings, but Hickory’s three-run fifth inning decided the outcome. Moises Morales and Jake Barbee combined to keep the Shorebirds off the scoreboard in the 3-0 Hickory victory.
Source: Original report
