SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Intimidators Fall One Win Shy of Playoffs

Published on September 5, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (Sept. 5, 2011) -- The Kannapolis Intimidators pushed the playoff race to the final day of 2011 before falling to Greensboro in 10 innings, 9-6, at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium to eliminate the Intimidators from a post-season berth. Kannapolis would have won the Northern Division 2nd Half with a win on Sunday afternoon combined with Hickory's 11-4 loss to Greenville. Greensboro advances to the post season for the first time since 1997.

The Intimidators (76-62, 39-31) rallied from four runs down in the eight inning to force extra innings, but the Grasshoppers (79-60, 39-30) plated three in the top of the 10th off Terance Marin (4-1), including a two-run double by Jacob Realmuto to give the Hoppers a decisive 9-6 edge.

Trailing 6-2 with one out in the bottom of the eighth, Trayce Thompson doubled to left field, and Greensboro reliever Grant Dayton walked three straight batters to bring Thompson home. Two batters later, Collin Kuhn smashed a two-run double off Chris Shafer to pull Kannapolis with a run, 6-5.

Still down a run in the ninth, Thompson laced a two-out single to right field, and catcher Kevin Dubler drove a double to left-center field to cash Thompson from first, tying the game, 6-6. Thompson scored a league-best 95 runs in 2011.

Greensboro built an early 5-1 lead behind starting pitcher Robert Morey, who struck out a career-high 10 batters over 7.0 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits. The Hoppers' pitchers combined to strike out 16 Intimidators, including Jordan Conley, striking out three batters to end the game for the save (3).

Michael Brady (7-1) earned the win for the Grasshoppers despite allowing the tying run in the bottom of the ninth.

Christian Yelich began the scoring with a two-run home run (15) in the first inning, and Marcell Ozuna led off the third with a homer (23) to centerfield.

Intimidators starter Spencer Arroyo gave up six runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings for Kannapolis. He finishes the season as the leader in the SAL with 170.1 innings pitched. Chase Cooney and Chris Bassitt combined for 3.1 scoreless innings of relief. Marin took his first loss of the year, allowing three runs in the extra frame.

Kannapolis will open the 2012 season at home on Thursday, April 5 at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium against the Hickory Crawdads. For the latest information and details about 2012 ticket options, visit the team website all off-season long at www.IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from September 5, 2011


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