SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Drive Spoil Intimidators' Opening Night

Published on April 3, 2014 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (April 3, 2014) - More than 3,000 fans showed up for the Opening Night of the 20th season of baseball in Kannapolis, but the hometown Intimidators managed just four hits in falling to the Greenville Drive, 3-1, at CMC-NorthEast Stadium on Thursday night.

Greenville (1-0) broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third inning when Jesus Loya turned a leadoff walk into a run, scoring on a Kannapolis (0-1) error. Carlos Asuaje, who reached on a base hit, crossed the plate on Tim Roberson's RBI-single for a 2-0 Drive lead.

The Intimidators responded with their lone run in the home half of the third when shortstop Cleuluis Rondon - the No. 27 prospect in the White Sox organization, according to Baseball America - doubled to deep center field, driving in Adam Engel. Rondon finished 1-for-4 at the plate.

Kannapolis starter James Dykstra worked 5.0 innings in his first professional start, allowing two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out four. Dykstra (0-1) took the loss while Greenville's Cody Kukuk (1-0) notched the win with 5.0 innings of one-run ball. Kukuk turned the ball over to Jacob Dahlstrand, who retired all nine Intimidators batters he faced over three innings before Joe Gunkel spun a scoreless ninth for the save (1).

The Drive added a run off Andre Wheeler in the seventh inning on Roberson's second RBI-single of the game. He finished 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Sean Hagan pitched a perfect eighth and ninth innings for the Intimidators to keep the game close, but the Intimidators couldn't bring the offense to life in the final frames.

The loss spoiled the debut for manager Pete Rose Jr. with Kannapolis, the 10th manager in Intimidators history. Rose, the son of baseball's all-time hits leader of the same name, managed the Advanced Rookie Great Falls Voyagers to the post-season in 2013.

Friday night the Intimidators host the Drive in Game 2 of this four-game season-opening series. RHP Tyler Danish (0-0, 0.00), the White Sox second round pick in the June 2013 First-Year Player Draft, will make his first start in Class A, while the Drive will counter with RHP Jamie Callahan (0-0, 0.00). First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. with gates opening at 6 p.m. On Friday nights in 2014, the Intimdiators are recognizing past players who have gone on to the Major Leagues as part of the 20th Season Legends Series. The first 1,000 fans into the ballpark on Friday will receive an action photo of White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham, who played for Kannapolis in 2008. Tickets are available by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at 704-932-3267 or visiting intimidatorsbaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 3, 2014


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