Intimidators edge 'Dads, 5-3
Published on April 15, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
HICKORY, N.C. - The Kannapolis Intimidators extended their winning streak to seven straight, taking the opener against the Hickory Crawdads, 5-3, before 2,142 fans at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium in Kannapolis on Friday night.
The Intimidators (7-1) struck first with a three-run rally in the second, though only two runs were earned to RHP Matt Thompson (L, 0-2) as a result of a miscue that kept the frame alive. Kannapolis mustered only two hits in the inning, but took the 3-0 lead early on.
Thompson got on track with a 1-2-3 third inning, however, Kannapolis plated a fourth run on a fielder's choice hit by 3B Jake Oester in the fourth inning, moving ahead, 4-0.
After RHP Jake Petricka (W, 1-0) dealt five scorless innings, the Crawdads (5-4) raced right back in the game with three runs in the sixth against reliever LHP Spencer Arroyo, pulling within just one run of tying the game. The charge was sparked by a leadoff double by DH Tomas Telis who moved to third on a single by 1B Andrew Clark. RF Josh Richmond then brought Telis in with a grounder to first, followed by a single by CF Jake Skole to put runners at the corners with only one away. After a strikeout, LF Jhonny Gomez placed a two-run single to left field, bringing in Clark and Skole, and making it just a 4-3 Kannapolis lead.
Kannapolis responded to the Crawdads threat with an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. C Mike Blanke led off the inning with a triple to left-center and came in on an RBI single by 1B Dan Black. Black was thrown out at second by Richmond on the play, but it put Kannapolis ahead by two heading into the ninth.
The Crawdads threatened with two men on in the ninth, but RHP Jimmy Ballinger escaped and closed out the 5-3 win for Kannapolis, picking up his first save of the season.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 15, 2011
- Suns Darkened by BlueClaws on 2011 Home Opener - Hagerstown Suns
- RiverDogs Stage Wild Rally to Top Rome, 9-8, in Ten Innings - Charleston RiverDogs
- GreenJackets Earn 5-3 Home Opener Win - Augusta GreenJackets
- Asheville tops Legends in rain-shortened game, 2-1 - Lexington Legends
- Gnats Treat Opening Night Crowd to Thrilling 4-3 Win - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Drive Drop First Road Game in Heartbreaking Fashion, 4-3 - Greenville Drive
- Intimidators edge 'Dads, 5-3 - Hickory Crawdads
- BlueClaws Win Road Opener 8-4 over Hagerstown - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Intimidators win home opener - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Pettit Dominates Grasshoppers in 6-2 Shorebirds' Win - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Gnats Game Notes: Friday, April 15 Vs. Greenville - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Braves to Participate in Strike out Hunger - Rome Emperors
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Alvarez Rejoins Rome - Rome Emperors
- Intimidators Return from Road Trip with League-Best 6-1 Record - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Hagerstown Stifled in Game Four Finale as Lexington Wins a Shutout - Hagerstown Suns
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