SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Leonards Provides Walk-Off Hit to Beat Legends

Published on May 25, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (May 25, 2015) - Third baseman Ryan Leonards gave Kannapolis its first walk-off win of the season, chopping a base hit down the third base line in the ninth inning to score John Ziznewski from third for a 6-5 win over the Lexington Legends on Monday at CMC-NorthEast Stadium. The Intimidators (20-24) led since the fifth inning before Lexington tied the game in the top of the ninth.

Leonards finished 2-for-5 with two RBI, including a go-ahead single in the fifth inning to break a 4-4 tie. He stepped to the plate in the ninth, again in a tie game, with the bases loaded and one out. Ziznewski, who joined Kannapolis from Extended Spring Training earlier in the day, led off the bottom of the ninth with a base hit and moved to second on an Eddy Alvarez sac-bunt. After Christian Stringer walked, a wild pitch put the winning run on third. Legends reliever Emilio Ogando intentionally walked Louie Lechich to create a force at the plate, but Leonards denied Lexington the opportunity, chopping a bouncer over a leaping Wander Franco at third base.

Matt Copper (1-0) earned the win, allowing a run on one hit while striking out three in 2.0 innings of work. Ogando (2-3) took the loss, allowing a run on four hits in 3 and 1/3 frames.

Ethan Gross paced the Intimidators offense, which pounded out 11 hits, by going 3-for-4 with a run scored, equaling his career-high in hits.

Lexington's Ryan O'Hearn launched his South Atlantic League-leading 12th home run in the top of the first inning for a 1-0 lead.

Kannapolis bounced back with three runs in the home-half of the opening inning. With two men on base and no outs, Louie Lechich singled to bring in Eddy Alvarez, and Christian Stringer scored the go-ahead run on an error by right-fielder Elier Hernandez, who sailed his throw to the plate back to the backstop. Lechich later scored on a Brett Austin groundout for a 3-1 lead.

With Kannapolis ahead in the ninth, 5-4, Lexington's Chase Vallot blasted a two-out home run off Cooper to tie the game. It was the first run Cooper had allowed all season, snapping his streak of nine scoreless innings to open 2015.

Thad Lowry struck out a career-high seven batters over 5.0 innings in a no decision. Connor Walsh spun 2.0 scoreless innings, and catcher Brett Austin controlled Lexington's running game, throwing out two base runners and picking off another.

Kannapolis last won in walk-off fashion on Aug. 4, 2014, when Jacob Morris scored on a wild pitch to beat the Hickory Crawdads.

The Intimidators and Legends continue this three-game series on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. with Arby's Two-for-Tuesday, featuring 2-for-1 tickets with any Arby's proof of purchase. The Intimidators well send RHP Spencer Adams (1-3, 4.60 ERA) to the mound against Lexington's RHP Nik Stephenson. For tickets and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 25, 2015


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