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Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Massey's 3 RBI Leads Offensive Explosion

May 25, 2016 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Intimidators exploded for 12 runs, including six in the fourth inning, to run away from the Legends, 12-3, on Wednesday at Whitaker Bank Ballpark, claiming a series win, 2-games-to-1. Kannapolis (19-27) pounded out 12 hits on the day as second baseman Grant Massey paced the offense with three RBI, going 2-for-5 at the plate with a double and a triple.

Johnathan Frebis (4-2) earned the win with 6.0 innings of work, limiting Lexington to a run on three hits with five strikeouts and two walks. He retired the first seven batters he faced and finished strong with perfect fifth and sixth innings. Cody Daily went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Danny Mendick and Landon Lassiter also enjoyed multi-hit games.

Massey put Kannapolis on the board in the top of the second with a triple that got past the diving attempt of Legends right fielder Ben Johnson, scoring Daily for a 1-0 lead. Lassiter followed with a base hit to cash Massey to double the Intimidators lead to 2-0.

Johan Cruz, who served as the Intimidators designated hitter for the first time this season, followed a Mendick walk with a two-run home run (2) with one out in the top of the third, pushing Kannapolis to a 4-0 lead.

After the Legends got a run back in the bottom of the third, Kannapolis ran away with the game with 6-run fourth inning, as all runs scored with two outs. Zach Fish drew a leadoff walk to end the day for Legends starting pitcher Nolan Watson. Lexington's Matt Ditman took over on the mound and allowed a Daniel Gonzalez base hit before retiring the next two batters, putting the Legends on the brink of getting out of the inning unscathed.

With two on and two out in the fourth inning, Cruz reached on a strikeout-wild pitch that brought home Fish, and Daily dropped a bunt-single up the third-base line to cash Gonzalez for a 6-1 lead. Antonio Rodriguez reached on a strikeout-wild pitch that induced a wild throw by Legends catcher Chase Vallot, which allowed Cruz to score. Massey added a two-run double and scored on a Lassiter single to cap the big inning and put Kannapolis up 10-1.

The Legends (19-27) added two runs in the seventh off Ryan Hinchley before Brannon Easterling retired all six batters he faced in the eighth and ninth. Lexington countered with a position player on the mound in the ninth as Michael Hill tossed a 1-2-3 frame.

Watson (1-5) suffered the loss, allowing five runs in 3.0 innings of work.

The Intimidators return home on Thursday to open a seven-game home stand starting with Motorsports Night where the team will be giving away two pairs of tickets to the 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Kannapolis will send RHP Luis Martinez (1-4, 4.50 ERA) to the mound against Asheville's RHP Trey Killian (3-2, 4.64 ERA) to open a 4-game series against the Tourists. The Intimidators upcoming home stand also features Faith & Fireworks Night on Saturday, May 28, with a pre-game Christian concert by Selfless Sunday at 5:30 p.m. and post-game fireworks presented by ServPro of North Cabarrus County & China Grove and Cornerstone Church. For tickets and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 25, 2016


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