T.J. Warren delivered the game-winning RBI off of Wanell Macia (0-1) courtesy of an eighth-inning sacrifice fly that scored Matt Rizzotti. It was the eighth RBI in the last eight games for the 19-year old outfielder.
Tim Kennelly added an insurance run in the ninth with a sacrifice fly to score Derrick Mitchell.
The 'Claws and Crawdads went back and forth for the first seven innings. Lakewood twice took a lead only to see Hickory come from behind to tie the game.
Lakewood went ahead 3-1 with a pair of fifth inning runs off of Hickory starter Bradley Clapp. Freddy Galvis got the rally going by reaching on a leadoff error, before he was doubled home by Kennelly. The BlueClaws catcher came across on a wild pitch to give the BlueClaws a two-run advantage.
But the lead would not last, as the Crawdads answered with two sixth-inning runs off of starter Chance Chapman. Hickory picked up five hits in the frame, including a two-RBI base hit from Erik Huber. The Crawdads loaded the bases before Chapman got Greg Picart to fly out to end the inning.
Zack Sterner (8-1) took the win with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball. Sergio Escalona followed with another strong performance. The southpaw struck out the three of the four batters he faced, though he did allow a run before Jared Simon got the final two outs for his 20th save of the season.
Rizzotti, who was making only his third appearance since returning from the disabled list, had a big day finishing 2-for-3 with a walk and the game-winning run. Kennelly had two hits, two runs scored and two RBIs and Galvis reached base three times.
The BlueClaws (16-10, 54-42) have won 13 of their last 17 games and remain three games behind first- place West Virginia.
The 'Claws and the Crawdads (11-15, 41-55) will do it again on Thursday night at 7:00. Vance Worley (0-0) will start for the BlueClaws, while Duke Welker (2-6) will go for Hickory.