SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

I's Score Early and Often to Rout Drive

Published on May 9, 2018 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


The Kannapolis Intimidators (21-11) routed the Greenville Drive Wednesday night at Flour Field in Greenville, N.C., scoring 10 runs on 14 hits to take the first game of the three-game series, 10-2.

In the first, the Drive (8-24) used a single to left field off the bat of Victor Acosta to score the first run of the game off right-handed pitcher Lincoln Henzman (W, 3-2), bringing in Lorenzo Cedrola from third base after he reached on a single to lead off the series.

The Intimidators responded in a big way in the second inning, as Evan Skoug hit a rope to the center field wall off Angel Padron (L,1-2) with one out, bringing up Justin Yurchak. The Kannapolis first baseman drew his team-leading 21st RBI, followed by three straight walks, leading to three runs for the Intimidators. After a pitching change that saw Alberto Franco come out of the bullpen for manager Iggy Suarez, Laz Rivera singled on a ground ball up the middle to score Johan Cruz and Tyler Frost for the fourth and fifth Kannapolis runs.

After another run crossed the plate for the Drive after a couple singles off Henzman and a wild pitch, Skoug got the ball rolling again for the Intimidators, smacking a single to center to bring up Yurchak. Per usual, Yurchak drew another walk on eight pitches, as Johan Cruz followed up with a single on a line drive to left field, bringing up Frost with one out. With the former Gonzaga Bulldog at the plate, Franco threw a wild pitch that allowed Skoug to scurry to the plate for the I's sixth run.

Next up, Nolan Brown brought in his second and third RBI's of the game with a single on a line drive to right field, giving the Intimidators an 8-2 lead through just three innings.

After another pitching change from the Drive, Skoug jumped on the third Greenville arm in four innings for his third hit of the day, as Yurcah, Perez, and Cruz rattled off three straight hits to bring in the ninth and tenth runs of the ball game.

With six strong innings under his belt, Henzman scattered eight hits while only giving up two runs and punching out two batters, as Kevin Escorcia got the call from manager Justin Jirschele, allowing just one hit in 2.0 innings on the bump. In the ninth, Tyler Johnson struck out the side to give Kannapolis a 10-2 victory in the first game of the series.

Five Kannapolis players finished with multi-hit nights, led by River and Skoug with three hits, as Brown finished the day with a game-high three RBI.

The Intimidators will take on the Drive at Flour Field for game two of the series Thursday at 7:05 p.m.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 9, 2018


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