Hickory

Everyone loves freebies. Not even the Hagerstown Suns could turn down outs-off coupons. Adrian Nieto hit a key bases-clearing double and the Suns took advantage of three Hickory errors to score five unearned runs on Tuesday to notch a 13-8 win over the Crawdads to revive their run for a second-half title. Hagerstown scored in six of eight innings, including eight runs in the first four innings off Hickory's errors to end a three-game losing streak. “For about the last week, everyone seems to be playing good defense,” said Hagerstown manager Brian Daubach.

The Hickory Crawdads extended their South Atlantic League Northern Division second-half lead over the Hagerstown Suns to 3 1/2 games with an 8-1 victory Thursday night. Hickory (64-44, 24-16) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning against Hagerstown starter Robbie Ray (2-2) on Joshua Richmond's two-out RBI double. The Crawdads made it 3-0 in the second on a walk, Alejandro Selen's double and RBI singles by Kellin Deglan and Jurickson Profar. Hickory starter Cody Buckel (5-3)

Christian Villanueva hit a sacrifice fly to center with none out in the 10th inning on Monday to lead Hickory to a seemingly unlikely 14-13 win over the Hagerstown Suns in the South Atlantic League. Hagerstown led 13-10 heading into the bottom of the ninth until reliever Dean Weaver was tagged with a game-tying, three-run home run by Alejandro Selen with one out to send the game into extra innings. The Crawdads (23-14 second half) put the game away against Hagerstown's Sam Brown (2-5)

Here’s a reminder that Hickory Elementary School’s Display of Learning continues this evening from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is a culmination of a schoolwide focus on learning about sea life. The public is invited as students from prekindergarten to fifth grade share what they have learned about the world under the sea.   Chicken barbecue planned for Saturday Downsville Christian Church, 8641 Downsville Pike, will hold its first chicken barbecue of the season Saturday from 11 a.m. until sold out. Country ham sandwiches and baked goods also will be for sale.

Hickory Elementary School will hold a book fair May 2 to 6 in the school's media center. An open house will be held at the school Tuesday, May 3, from 6 to 8 p.m., featuring the children's story character named "Clifford. " Grandparents, please plan to visit on Friday, May 6, from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m for Grandparents Day. For more information, call the school at 301-766-8198. The school is at 11101 Hickory School Road. School registration Attention parents of students entering prekindergarten and kindergarten for school year 2011-12: Countywide registration dates are planned Monday, May 17 and Monday, June 14. Check with your area school for registration session times and locations.

The Hagerstown Suns found out that Momentum is a fickle guy. He only stays around the team that gives him the most attention. The Suns ignored him on Wednesday. Hagerstown failed to fully capitalize on a bases-loaded situation with none out in the third, allowing Hickory to come back and score seven unanswered runs en route to a 8-3 victory before 866 at Municipal Stadium. The Suns (9-4) were only able to push across one run in the prime opportunity and it spelled the end of their three-game winning streak and allowed Hickory (9-4)

Hickory Elementary School in Halfway was placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon after the school's principal and a teacher were assaulted, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office and a Washington County Public Schools spokesman. The sheriff's deputies were called to the school for the assault at 3 p.m., a sheriff's office news release said. Before deputies arrived, a parent reportedly tried to force her way into the school, allegedly assaulting Principal Amy Norris and teacher Jerri McNew, the release said.

During January, students were recognized for the Character Counts! trait of citizenship at Hickory Elementary School. Students and families were invited to school for a “pinning ceremony,” which included certificates and prizes, followed by ice cream sundaes and family bingo. The honored students included Jose Mata-Shipp, Emma Gossard, Wyatt McKean, Kristian Holloway, Sarah Dawson, Caden Ringler, Malayia Brady, Natalie Kitchen, Megan Cline, Stanley Reed, Jackson Conroy, Sophie Butts, Brittany Weese, Jackie Vines and Sabastian Reed.

Each month, one student from each classroom at Hickory Elementary School is designated as a Character Counts! Good Citizens of the Month. Students selected are nominated by classroom teachers for demonstrating one of the six pillars of character. Children who were chosen for this award celebrated with parents and guardians at an assembly Jan. 31. The following students were honored: Jose Matashipp, Emma Gossard, Kristian Holloway, Wyatt McKean, Stanley Reed, Sarah Dawson, Natalie Kitchen, Malayia Bradley, Jackson Conroy, Megan Cline, Sophie Butts, Sabastian Reed, Jackie Vines and Brittany Reese.

During December, select students were recognized for the Character Counts! trait of caring at Hickory Elementary School. Students and families were invited to school for a “pinning ceremony,” which included certificates and prizes, followed by ice cream sundaes and family bingo.