SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Intimidators Beat Rain, Suns for Getaway Day Win

Published on May 31, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


HAGERSTOWN, Md. (May 31, 2015) - The Intimidators battled early rain and held on to defeat the Suns, 7-5, on Sunday afternoon at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown. Kannapolis (24-26) clinched its third consecutive series win, the first time the Intimidators have won three straight series since August of 2013.

With rain pouring through the first four innings, Kannapolis used a five-run fourth inning - highlighted by a Michael Danner bases-clearing double - to reclaim the lead from Hagerstown and never gave it up. David Trexler spun three scoreless innings, keeping the Suns off the board from the six through eighth innings, and Jefferson Olacio worked a perfect ninth to secure the win with his second save (2) of the season.

Yency Almonte (4-2) spun 5.0 innings for Kannapolis, giving up five runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts to earn his fourth consecutive win.

Kannapolis took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Eddy Alvarez drew a lead-off walk, stole second base, and later scored on a Louie Lechich groundout. The Suns responded with three runs on four extra-base hits in the bottom of the first, including back-to-back triples by Alec Keller and Osvaldo Abreu to begin the inning. Jeff Gardner and Dale Carey hit consecutive one-out doubles for a 3-1 Hagerstown advantage.

In the second, Ryan Leonards doubled for Kannapolis - extending his on-base streak to a career-long 11 games since May 20. John Ziznewski drove a base hit to left field to cash Leonards, cutting the Suns lead to 3-2.

Suns starter Robbie Dickey got into trouble to open the fourth inning, walking two of the first three batters he faced to load the bases. Brett Mooneyham took over on the mound and gave up a game-tying sac-fly to Mason Robbins. After Ziznewski drew a walk to reload the bases, Danner cleared the bases with a double to deep left field, putting the Intimidators ahead, 6-3. Christian Stringer added an RBI-single to cash Danner for a 7-3 lead.

The Suns came to life as the rain began to subside in the home half of the fifth. With two outs, Keller singled and scored from first on an Abreu double. Gardner later added a base-hit to cash Abreu, pulling Hagerstown within two, 7-5.

The Intimidators have won three straight series, including home series wins against Hickory and Lexington leading up to this road trip. The team last won three straight series when Kannapolis claimed four straight sets from August 13-25, 2013, picking up series wins at home against Lakewood, at Greensboro, and home against Savannah and Rome.

Kannapolis continues this road trip with a three-game series against the Greenville Drive starting Monday at 7:05 p.m. from Fluor Field. The Intimidators return home on Thursday, June 4, for a four-game series against Delmarva. For tickets and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 31, 2015


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