The BlueClaws won the best of three first-round series against Hickory in impressive fashion on Saturday night.  Jonathan Pettibone struck out a career high nine in seven innings, alowing just one hit (with two outs in the sixth).  Sebastian Valle got the ‘Claws on the board in the first with a two-run homer.  Lakewood tacked on an additional run in the first on a Jeremy Barnes RBI single, then added another in the 4th and two more in the 7th.  Luke Wertz pitched the final two innings to complete the 6-0 shutout.

The Championship series gets underway tonight at 7:05 at Greenville (Red Sox).  It’s a rematch of last year’s championship series.  Trevor May and Julio Rodriguez get the call for the first two games on the road.  The series will return to Lakewood on Thursday for Game 3 and, if necessary, Games 4 and 5 on Friday and Saturday.  Lakewood’s roatation through the rest of the series will feature Brody Colvin in Game 3, followed by Pettibone in Game 4, and May coming back for Game 5.