SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

All-Stars Lead Intimidators to Sweep

Published on June 16, 2013 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (June 16, 2013) -- Jason Coats launched a 3-run home run to pull the Intimidators ahead in the sixth, and Kannapolis dropped the Rome Braves, 6-4, on Sunday to complete a series sweep heading into the All-Star Break.

With the All-Star Break on the horizon, the Intimidators' two All- Stars -- Coats and Micah Johnson -- carried the day. Johnson went 3- for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored while Coats was 2-for-3 with a game-high three RBI, all coming on his sixth inning blast. Coats tied Johnson for the team lead with his fifth home run of the season and pulled in front of Johnson for the team lead with 39 RBI.

The Intimidators hit the Rome bullpen, literally, in the sixth. Johnson lined a base hit off the back of reliever Williams Perez, ending his afternoon after facing just one batter. Zach Jadofsky came in and walked Jake Brown. Coats then turned a one-run deficit into a two-run advantage, 4-2, with his three-run home run.

Jefferson Olacio made his first relief appearance of the season and earned the win in the process. Olacio (3-8) allowed two runs on three hits while striking out four over 4.0 innings. Braulio Ortiz gave up two runs over 5.0 innings, taking no decision after leaving on the hook for a loss.

Braves starter Lucas Sims, Atlanta's first round pick in the June 2012 draft, retired the first seven batters he faced and limited the Intimidators to one run over five innings. Sims struck out six batters and walked none in a no decision.

Rome took the an early lead with two outs in the first inning. Levi Hyams drew a two-out walk and stole second base, and Casey Kalenkowsky followed with a run-scoring single. Kalenkowsky was thrown out by Kannapolis catcher Jeremy Dowdy attempting to steal second base, ending the inning.

Dowdy threw out three base runners over the first three innings, nabbing Joey Meneses to end the second inning and Eric Garcia in the third.

The Intimidators cut into the Rome lead in the bottom of the third. Juan Ramirez, Kale Kiser and Micah Johnson strung together three straight singles, and Johnson's RBI-hit gave him 36 for the season, tying fellow All-Star Jason Coats for the team lead for the time being.

The four-game winning streak is the longest for the Intimidators this season, and the sweep is the first of the year for Kannapolis, which last swept an opponent June 21-24, 2012 (4 games vs. Delmarva).

The Intimidators return from the All-Star Break on Thursday, June 20, with a seven-game road trip to Augusta and Rome. The team returns to CMC-NorthEast Stadium on Thursday, June 27 to open a seven-game home stand featuring two fireworks shows, including the team's Independence Holiday Fireworks Spectacular presented by the City of Kannapolis on July 3. For ticket and promotional information, fans can call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit intimidatorsbaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 16, 2013


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