SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Intimidators Hang on to Win Waterlogged Game 1

Published on May 22, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (May 22, 2012) -- The Kannapolis Intimidators stifled a Hickory Crawdads comeback effort and held on to win, 7-6, in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader at L.P. Frans Stadium. The Crawdads came back from a 7-0 deficit, and in the seventh inning, moved the tying run to third base with the winning run on first, but Steven Upchurch snagged a line-drive comebacker for the final out.

The teams fought through two rain delays, a 26-minute interruption in the bottom of the first inning and a 1 hour 54 minute delay two pitches into the top of the fourth. Kannapolis led 5-0 at the time of the second delay.

After play resumed, Kannapolis added a pair of runs in the fourth inning for a 7-0 lead, but Hickory responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by a Jordan Akins two-run home run, cutting the Intimidators lead to 7-3.

Rougned Odor hit a two-run home run off Chris Devenski in the fifth inning to pull the Crawdads within two. Devenski (1-1) earned the win but gave up five runs on six hits in two relief innings.

Steven Upchurch worked the two-inning save (3) for Kannapolis. He gave up an unearned run in the sixth, and allowed a pair of seventh inning singles that put the tying and winning runs on base before getting out of the jam to preserve the win.

Ross Wilson turned around the game's first pitch with a double to centerfield, moved the third on Grant Buckner's groundout, and scored on a Kevan Smith ground ball for an early 1-0 lead.

The Intimidators piled on for three runs in the second inning to get in front 4-0. With one out, Joe De Pinto tripled to centerfield and scored on a throwing error by Crawdad's first baseman Jhonny Gomez. Two batters later, Garis Pena singled home Keenyn Walker, and Wilson followed with an RBI-groundout.

In the third inning, Mark Haddow doubled to right-center field, moved to third on Rangel Ravelo's infield single, and scored on Joe De Pinto's base hit for a 5-0 lead.

Kannapolis starter Blair Walters, the reigning SAL Pitcher of the Week, kept the Crawdads off the scoreboard through three innings, allowing one hit and three walks. His game was cut short due to the second rain delay. Crawdads starter Andrew Faulkner gave up five runs (four earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts in three innings.

Game two of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at approximately 9:00 p.m. with Jefferson Olacio starting for Kannapolis against Hickory's Nick McBride.

The Intimidators return to CMC-NorthEast Stadium on Memorial Day -- Monday, May 28 -- to open a seven-game home stand against the Rome Braves (Atlanta Braves) and Lakewood BlueClaws (Philadelphia Phillies). 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 May 22, 2012


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