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SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

I's Use Big First Inning to Run by Greenville, Win 8-3

April 19, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, NC - On a cold and windy Thursday night at Intimidators Stadium supported by Atrium Health, the Intimidators defeated the Greenville Drive in the first game of the four-game series 8-3, needing only three innings to score all of their eight runs.

After giving up three runs in the first inning on three hits, John Parke (W, 2-0) settled in over the next four innings on the mound for Kannapolis, with his offense giving him all the help he needed in the home half of the first inning.

Luis Gonzalez started off the run-heavy inning with a single over the shortstop's head, followed by Johan Cruz, who reached base on an error by third baseman Michael Osinski. Justin Yurchak added to the crowded base paths with a single of his own, loading the bases for Craig Dedelow. The Kannapolis cleanup hitter smacked the first pitch that he saw from Greenville (3-11) starter Hunter Haworth (L, 0-2) up the middle, scoring Gonzalez and Cruz to cut the lead to one.

After Evan Skoug grounded out to first base, moving two runners into scoring position, Tate Blackman reached on an error by the shortstop, while also bringing in Yurchak from third base, who was going on contact to tie the game, 3-3. Two batters later, Laz Rivera capped off the five-run inning with a double down the left field line, scoring Dedelow and Blackman to give the I's a 5-3 lead.

Two innings later in third, Skoug reached base on a one-out single up the middle, as Blackman smacked the third pitch of his at-bat through the left side, putting runners at first and second for Laz Rivera. Connecting on one of his three hits on the day, Rivera brought in Skoug from first base to push the lead to three runs, 6-3.

The Intimidators were not done scoring in the third inning, as Tyler Frost roped a triple down the right field line for his only hit of the day, scoring Blackman and Rivera, who scored all the way from first, giving the I's a 8-3 lead.

Kannapolis' (8-6) bullpen helped keep Parke's clean streak after the first inning, as Jake Elliot threw 2.2 innings of shutout ball, followed by Zach Lewis, who didn't allow any hits through 1.1 innings on the bump for skipper Justin Jirschele.

The Intimidators and the Drive both finished with 11 hits on the night.

Kannapolis will host Greenville for the second game of the four-game series Friday night at 7:05 p.m.

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