SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Morris Ties League Record for Doubles in Loss

Published on May 26, 2014 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


HICKORY, Md. (May 26, 2014) - Kannapolis center fielder Jacob Morris tied a South Atlantic League record with four doubles but the Intimidators came up short against the Hickory Crawdads, 11-9, on Monday at L.P. Frans Stadium. Kannapolis (21-28) has now lost seven straight game, the team's longest losing streak of the season.

Morris's record-tying double came with the Intimidators down 11-8 in the ninth inning. He turned on a Kevin Pucetas knuckleball, driving it down the left field line. Two batters later, Omar Narvaez drove him in to pull Kannapolis within two and put the tying run on first base, however Trey Michalczewski was caught stealing and Carl Thomore grounded out to end the game.

The last South Atlantic Leaguer to collect four doubles in a game was Lakewood's Jeremy Sladen on August 20, 2006. Hayes became the seventh Sally Leaguer with a 4-double game, setting a franchise record in the process. The last Intimidators player with three doubles in a game was Courtney Hawkins, who did it August 20, 2012.

Morris finished 4-for-5 with two RBI and three runs scored to pace a Kannapolis offense that scored just six runs in the team's 4-game series at Delmarva before today's offensive outburst. The 20 combined runs is the highest scoring game the Intimidators have played this season. Narvaez went 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.

Hickory starter Kelvin Vasquez recovered from early-inning struggles to notch the win, striking out eight batters over 5.0 innings, allowing six runs on five hits while walking two.

Kannapolis took advantage of Vasquez (2-1) in the first inning as the first three batters of the game reached base thanks to a hit batter and consecutive walks. Morris followed with a two-run double for a 2-0 lead. Michalczewski and Narvaez added a pair of RBI outs for a 4-0 advantage.

Hickory tied the game by scoring two the first and two more in the second with Ryan Cordell and Evan Van Hoosier providing RBI-doubles as part of the comeback. Danny Hayes broke a 4-4 tie by leading off the third inning with home run (3), and Morris doubled and scored on a Carl Thomore sac-fly for a 6-4 lead.

The Crawdads used a pair of home runs to surge ahead. In the fourth inning, Ronald Guzman's two-run blast tied the game, 6-6. One inning later, Nomar Mazara crushed a 3-run home run to right field for a 9-6 advantage.

Hunter Jones pulled the Intimidators within a run, 9-8, with a bloop double that fell between three Crawdads in shallow right field in the top of the sixth, scoring Omar Narvaez and Carl Thomore.

Hickory pushed their lead back to three, 11-8, with a two-run sixth, highlighted by triples by Ryan Cordell and Nomar Mazara, chasing Jose Brito from the game.

Tyler Barnette took the loss for Kannapolis. The Hickory native gave up eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits, working two batters into the fourth inning. Barnette (2-3) attended Hickory (N.C.) High School before matriculating to UNC Charlotte.

The Intimidators send RHP James Dyksyra to the mound on Tuesday in Game 2 of this 3-game series. First pitch is at 6 p.m. The Intimidators return to CMC-NorthEast Stadium on Thursday, May 29, for a 4-game series against the first place Hagerstown Suns. For ticket 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 26, 2014


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