Kannapolis Avoids Sweep Against 'Dads with 6-5 Win
June 30, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
KANNAPOLIS, NC - The Hickory Crawdads, 1st-Half Northern Division Champions, scored a run in the ninth in a comeback attempt, but the Kannapolis Intimidators held on for the 6-5 win to avoid the series sweep, before 1,875 fans at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium on Thursday.
After both starters -- RHP Matt Thompson for the Crawdads and RHP Matt Heidenreich for the Intimidators -- kept both offenses in check through the first four scoreless innings, Kannapolis (41-35, 4-4) finally struck first with a run in the bottom of the fifth. C Miguel Gonzalez led off the frame with a double, then advanced to third and later scored on a couple of wild pitches by Thompson before he worked out the frame, putting the Intimidators ahead, 1-0.
Hickory (45-31, 5-3) wasted no time coming back, striking for four runs in the top of the sixth inning. 1B Jhonny Gomez led off with a single to center field, that led to a two-base throwing error on the play. Kannapolis CF Trayce Thompson bobbled the ball in center, at which point Gomez thought about going to second base. As he tried to accelerate, Gomez hurt his lower leg and was forced to try to hobble back to first base. Heidenreich received the throw on the infield from Thompson, and threw the ball to first to try to retire Gomez limping back to the bag. However, the throw sailed out of play and Gomez remained safe while also being awarded second and third on the error.
1B Andrew Clark took over at third as a pinch runner, then trotted home on a SS Jurickson Profar two-run homer down the right field line one out later, which was also contested but ultimately ruled a fair ball, putting Hickory ahead, 2-1. With the bases clear after the long-ball, 2B Odubel Herrera reignited the offense with a double and raced home on an RBI double by DH Tomas Telis. RF Josh Richmond followed with an RBI triple, driving in Telis and giving the Crawdads the 4-1 lead.
RHP Ben Rowen tossed scoreless sixth and seventh innings out of the Crawdads bullpen, before RHP Jorge Marban (L, 1-2) came in for the eighth inning. Kannapolis rallied in the eighth, plating five tallies (only two earned) in the inning, moving back in front, 6-4.
Kannapolis turned to RHP Jake Wilson (S, 6) to try to close the lead in the ninth inning. Wilson struck out the first two batters he faced, but the Crawdads refused to go down quietly. C Yefry Castillo worked a walk to keep the game going, and Clark belted his second double of the game to right field, scoring Castillo to pull the 'Dads within one run of tying it. With Clark at second, LF Jonathan Roof drew a walk to further extend the game for Profar. However, Wilson won the battle and got Profar to fly out to right, as the Intimidators escaped with the 6-5 win to avoid the sweep. RHP Nick McCully (W, 2-1) registered the win for Kannapolis.
Crawdads Clippings:
The Crawdads head to Greenville to take on the Drive on Friday at 7 p.m. Catch all the action live on The Big Dawg 92.1FM and Hickorycrawdads.com, and tune in 15 minutes early for Crawdads Countdown!
Be sure to order your tickets early for the Crawdads next home game - the 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza on Monday, July 4 at 7 p.m. Don't miss out on the best 4th of July celebration in the area, presented by KICKS 103.3FM! All tickets are just $10 and going quickly!
Get Tickets:
Individual tickets, corporate partnerships, group outings and ticket plans for the 2011 season are available right now at the Crawdads Front Office or by calling (828) 322-3000. You can even purchase and print your tickets from the comfort of your home on Hickorycrawdads.com.
• Discuss this story on the South Atlantic League message board...
South Atlantic League Stories from June 30, 2011
- Power's Second Walk-Off Win of the Week - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Shorebirds Rout Grasshoppers 11-3 To Win Series - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Kannapolis Avoids Sweep Against 'Dads with 6-5 Win - Hickory Crawdads
- Drive Top Tourists 2-1 in Extra Inning Affair - Greenville Drive
- Lakewood Falls 8-4 in Series Finale Thursday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Defensive Struggles Lead To Braves Loss - Rome Emperors
- Kannapolis Rallies for 5 Runs in 8th to Cook Crawdads - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Sanford Shines in 5-1 GreenJackets Win - Augusta GreenJackets
- Sanford Silences Charleston Sticks in Augusta's 5-1 Win - Charleston RiverDogs
- Gnats Game Notes: Thursday, June 30 at Rome - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Tourists to Host Two Fireworks Shows Next Week - Asheville Tourists
- Gnats 2011 Playoff Tickets Go on Sale July 4th - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Fourth of July Festivities Headline Seven-Game Homestand - Charleston RiverDogs
- Hagerstown Falls 7-2 in Game Three vs. Lakewood - Hagerstown Suns
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
