Preview: Salem RidgeYaks at Hickory Crawdads

HICKORY, N.C. (Interstat) — Two of the Carolina League’s hottest teams will meet Wednesday when the Salem RidgeYaks visit the Hickory Crawdads at L.P. Frans Stadium.

Both teams enter the contest with identical 7-2 records, sharing the early-season lead. The series opener Tuesday saw Hickory claim a 7-5 victory.

The RidgeYaks will send right-hander Aidan Deakins (0-0) to the mound for the evening start. Salem’s pitching staff has been bolstered by left-hander Devin Futrell, who is emerging as a standout. In his last start Sunday, a 16-3 win over Wilson, Futrell threw five hitless, scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Over his last two appearances, he has allowed just one hit over nine innings with 10 strikeouts.

Hickory will counter with right-hander Jacob Mayers (0-0). The Crawdads’ offense is powered by first baseman Marcos Torres, who is coming off a strong performance. In Sunday’s 7-1 win at Kannapolis, Torres went 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs. He has driven in five runs over his last three games.

Salem has won seven of its last eight, including a four-game sweep of Wilson over the weekend. Hickory has been equally formidable, winning seven of its last eight games, with its only loss in that span a 4-0 shutout.

The weather forecast calls for cloudy skies and a game-time temperature of 77 degrees.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Salem 8, Hickory 5.

The game is part of a six-game series between the two teams in Hickory this week.