SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Big First Inning Topples Intimidators

Published on April 16, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (April 16, 2011) - The Kannapolis Intimidators could not overcome a 6-run first inning by the Hickory Crawdads, falling 9-5 at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium on Saturday night. The loss drops the team to 7-2, snapping a seven-game winning streak.

Crawdad's leadoff man Teodoro Martinez doubled to begin the game, and Jake Skole followed with an RBI-single. Intimidators starting pitcher RHP Matt Heidenreich retired the next two batters before getting into trouble, sandwiching Odubel Herrera's RBI-single between two hit batters, loading the bases and giving Hickory a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. After Heidenreich (0-1) walked in a run, Jonathan Roof chased him from the game with a two-run double.

Manager Tommy Thompson went to RHP Paul Burnside to finish the first inning, and the reliever kept Hickory quiet until the fifth inning. The Crawdads loaded the bases in the fifth thanks to a single and a pair of hit batters before Herrera drove a two-run double into right field, and Christian Villanueva followed with a sacrifice fly.

Burnside pitched 5 and 1/3 innings of relief, allowing three runs off five hits while striking out two batters in the longest relief appearance by an Intimidators pitcher this season.

Kannapolis, trailing 9-2 going into the bottom of the fifth, managed to work the bases loaded with one out but could only manufacture one run. The Intimidators stranded the bases loaded for the second time in the game.

Crawdads starter Justin Grimm allowed two runs (one earned) off two hits in four innings of work, striking out five batters while walking one. Reliever Colby Killian earned his first win of the season, pitching two innings without allowing an earned run.

CF Trayce Thompson put Kannapolis on the board with a leadoff homerun (3) in the first inning.

The Intimidators face the Crawdads on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium. RHP Kevin Moran will take the mound for Kannapolis against Hickory's RHP Carlos Melo. Sunday games are Kids Day all season long, presented by Zamitti Orthodontics, where kids can enjoy a pre-game autograph session before first pitch and run the bases after the game. Tickets are available by calling (704) 932-3267 or visiting www.IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 16, 2011


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