SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Intimidators Make It Three Straight Behind Frebis

Published on May 8, 2016 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - The Intimidators lead throughout a Sunday matinée at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System, but were pushed through out by the Lakewood BlueClaws in a 3-2 win. Right fielder Antonio Rodriguez brought a crowd of 2,042 to its feet with a perfect throw home to preserve a one run lead in the seventh inning.

A night after breaking through for seven runs in the fourth inning the Intimidators (15-15) again tagged BlueClaws (9-20) pitching for a crooked number in the fourth. Corey Zangari singled to left starting a string of four straight to reach. Rodriguez singled home the first run of the day and went 2-for-4 with an RBI. BlueClaws starter Franklyn Kilome was then charged with a balk that brought home the second and final run of the fourth.

Intimidators starter Johnathan Frebis made the two run lead hold up. Frebis (3-1) turned in the third straight Intimidator quality start and earned his third win of the season. The lefty went six innings, striking out four, walking none and allowing just an unearned run in the top of the sixth.

Kilome (0-4) pitched well for Lakewood following the fourth. The righty turned in five innings of work, his longest outing of the season, and struck out six, also a season best.

In the top of the sixth inning, the BlueClaws pushed across their first run of the afternoon. Cody Daily missed played a hot shot from Austin Bossart at third, for the only error of the game. Two wild pitches and a sacrifice fly later Lakewood had scored their first run without the benefit of a hit in the inning.

In the top of the seventh, Antonio Rodriguez kept the Intimidators on top with the play of the day. With one out, Damek Tomscha singled to right. Rodriguez originally overran the ball and the BlueClaws sent Wislon Garcia home for what would have been the tying run. Rodriguez from deep in right threw a perfect strike to catcher Daniel Gonzalez to cut down Garcia and preserve the 2-1 lead.

Dante Flores, drove home the deciding run in the bottom of the eighth. With two outs in the inning Flores doubled down the first baseline to bring home Cody Daily for a 3-1 lead. It was part of a 2-for-3 afternoon for Flores who had a double and a walk to extend his consecutive games reaching base streak to nine.

Down to their final out in the top of the ninth Lakewood answered with a run of their own on a Jose Pujols RBI single. Intimidators reliever, Taylore Cherry rebounded to strike out Tomscha to end the game.

It was Cherry's third save of the year and the Intimidators third win in a row.

Before the game, 7-year-old Gizelle Eady threw out a ceremonial first pitch to her father, United States Army Captain Gerald Eady, who was disguised in full catchers gear behind the plate. Following the pitch, Captain Eady took of his mask to surprise his daughter after returning home from a 9-month deployment oversees.

In addition to the heart-warming pregame reunion, the team welcomed hundreds of students from Cabarrus County Schools who earned a ticket to the game as part of the Intimidators Reading All-Stars Program presented by Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

The Intimidators play game three of the 4-game series against the Lakewood BlueClaws on Monday at 7:05 p.m. as RHP Luis Martinez (1-3, 4.39 ERA) starts for Kannapolis against Lakewood's RHP Jose Taveras (0-2, 3.05 ERA). Monday will be Belly Buster night at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolina HealthCare Sytem, for just $10 its all-you-can-eat all game long, some restrictions may apply. For tickets and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 8, 2016


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