SAL1 Rome Emperors

Kannapolis Defeats Rome 2-1 in Pitcher's Duel

April 6, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Rome Emperors News Release


KANNAPOLIS, NC - The Intimidators got a two run triple from Steele Walker in the 3rd inning off Rome starting pitcher Jasseel De La Cruz and then held on for a 2-1 victory on a soggy Friday night in Kannapolis. The Rome offense was held in check by LHP Taylor Varnell who kept the Braves hitters off balance in his debut outing.

The collective star for Rome on Friday was the bullpen. Braves relievers LHP Tanner Lawson, RHP Victor Vodnik, and RHP Lukas Young all shined while on the mound, striking out a combined 8 batters in 5.1 shutout innings.

After being held scoreless by Varnell for six frames the Braves immediately jumped his replacement, LHP Bennett Sousa in the seventh. Justin Dean ripped a double down the left field line and later scored on a Greg Cullen RBI 1B. The rally fell short as Rome left both the tying and go-ahead runs on base. Cullen reached on a two-base throwing error with two outs in the 9th inning but was stranded at second as the game ended.

Kannapolis slugger Steele Walker is the only Intimidators hitter with an RBI or extra-base hit in the first two games of the series.

Trey Harris finished the night 2-2 with a walk. Dean was 1-4 with a double and a run scored. Starter Jasseel De La Cruz took the loss, going 2.2 innings and allowing two earned runs on two hits. He struck out three and walked two.

Rome pitchers have struck out 20 batters in 17 innings in the series and have allowed only two earned runs.

Game three of the series is scheduled for 7 pm Saturday evening at Intimidators Stadium in Kannapolis. Rome puts RHP Jose Olague on the mound. Kannapolis will start RHP Davis Martin.

Rome (1-1): 1 R 4 H 0 E

Kannapolis (1-1): 2 R 6 H 1 E

W: Taylor Varnell (1-0)

L: Jasseel De La Cruz (0-1)

S: Lane Ramsey (1)

Time: 2:38

Attendance: 633

Check out the Rome Emperors Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from April 6, 2019


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.

OurSports Central