SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Intimidators Outlast Shorebirds in 14 Innings

June 23, 2012 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - The Kannapolis Intimidators edged the Delmarva Shorebirds, 5-4 in 14 innings, on Saturday night in front of 4,496 at CMC-NorthEast Stadium to win their sixth straight game. With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 14th, Michael Johnson drew off position-player-turned-reliever Austin Knight to push the winning run across.

Stew Brase (3-3) earned the win with three scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out three. Brase and Kevin Vance combined to toss 7 and 1/3 spotless innings out of the Intimidators bullpen after starter Matt Lane worked a career-high 6 and 2/3 innings in a no decision. Vance matched a career-high with seven strikeouts.

Knight (0-1), an infielder, took the mound in a 4-4 game in the bottom of the 14th and struck out the first batter he faced before walking the next three to load the bases. After one more strike out, Johnson worked the count full before taking ball four to bring home the winning run. The Intimidators had not led in the game until Leighton Pangilinan crossed the plate in the 14th.

The Intimidators trailed 4-2 before Martin Medina's eighth inning home run (1) narrowed the Shorebirds lead. In the ninth inning, Garis Pena singled with one out, and Johnson pinch-ran for him. Ross Wilson drew a walk, moving Johnson to second, and Grant Buckner singled up the middle to tie the game, 4-4, in the bottom of the ninth.

Delmarva jumped in front with four runs in the third inning. Mychal Givens, Glynn Davis and Mikey Planeta all singled and scored. Planeta's base hit cashed Givens, and Jason Esposito added a sac-fly, and Connor Narron capped the inning with a two-run single to left field.

Kannapolis returned fire with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Garis Pena led off with a base hit and scored on Grant Buckner's double. Kevan Smith followed with with a single down the right field line to bring home Buckner and cut the deficit in half, 4-2.

Lane, the Intimidators starter, settled down after the four-run third inning with 3 and 2/3 scoreless innings to follow before being lifted from the game.

The Intimidators wrap up this four-game series against the Shorebirds on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. as RHP Erik Johnson (1-1, 1.80) duels Delmarva's RHP Williams Louico (0-1, 3.92). Sunday games are Kid's Day presented by Zammitti Orthodontics with $5 kids tickets, pre-game player autographs and post-game kids run the bases. 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 June 23, 2012


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