SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Intimidators Gain Independence from Double Play Tyranny with 13-Inning Win

Published on July 4, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (July 3, 2011) -- Shortstop Marcus Semien's high chopper bounded into left field to score Juan Silverio from third base in the bottom of the 13th inning as the Kannapolis Intimidators twice came from behind to defeat the Asheville Tourists, 5-4, at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium in front of 5,432 in attendance on Sunday night. Semien, playing his just his third professional game since joining Kannapolis July 1, was hitless in six previous plate appearances before capping the Intimidators second walk off win in four days.

The Tourists stunted three previous threats with three straight inning- ending double plays in the 10th, 11th and 12th innings before the Intimidators broke through in the 13th. Infielder Dominic Altobelli pitched the 13th inning for Asheville, and Miguel Gonzalez fought off a 13-pitch at bat to draw a leadoff walk. Silverio dropped a bunt in front of the catcher who threw to second to get Gonzalez, but shortstop Cristhian Adames' attempt to turn a fourth double play sailed into the seats, advancing Silverio to second base on the error. Altobelli intentionally walked the next batter and plunked another to load the bases, setting up Semien's heroics.

Chase Cooney (2-2) struck out two batters in a perfect top of the 13th for the win. He has not allowed a run in his last seven outings. Nick McCully and Jake Wilson combined for 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief with eight strikeouts between them.

The Tourists led 4-3 going into the bottom of the ninth when Silverio led off with a pinch-hit double, and scored on a Carlos Sanchez sacrifice fly to tie the game, 4-4, forcing extra innings. Asheville's All-Star closer Juan Perez blew his first save since May 18.

The Intimidators trailed 2-1 at the seventh inning stretch, but reliever Isaiah Froneberger allowed singles to Trayce Thompson and Brady Shoemaker to begin the bottom of the seventh. Drew Lee dropped a bunt down the third base line to load the bases with an infield hit, and Froneberger plunked Gonzalez to tie the game, 2-2. John Spatola singled him the go-ahead run for the Intimidators first lead, 3-2 after seven innings.

Asheville answered with a top of the eighth against Reid Kelly, who struck out the first two batters before issuing a walk and allowing a base hit. McCully surrendered a two-run double to Helder Velazquez as the Tourists jumped back in front, 4-3.

Chandler Laurent knocked a two-out home run (10) off Steven Upchurch in the top of the second inning to put Asheville on the board first for the third time in three games. Upchurch did not factor into the decision in his first quality start of the season, allowing two runs on seven hits in six innings. Intimidators pitchers combined to strike out 17 batters, walking only two on the night.

Tourists starter Albert Campos kept Kannapolis off the scoreboard through the first four innings, but the Intimidators struck in the fifth innings. Gonzalez singled up the middle, stole second base, and scored on Spatola's seeing-eye single through the right side of the infield to tie the game, 1-1.

The Intimidators head north for a seven-game road trip starting Monday in Greensboro for three games against the Grasshoppers followed by four games in Lakewood against the BlueClaws. Kannapolis returns to Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium on Tuesday, July 12, for a seven-game home stand. For ticket information, call the box office at (704) 932-3267 or visit www.IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 4, 2011


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