SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Rice Hits for Second Cycle in Franchise History

Published on July 15, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


GREENSBORO, N.C. (July 15, 2012) -- Right fielder Bill Rice hit for the second cycle in Intimidators franchise history, going 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored to power Kannapolis past the Greensboro Grasshoppers, 14-5, on Sunday afternoon at NewBridge Bank Park. Rice, who tripled to lead off the eighth inning to complete the feat, had the game-tying and go-ahead RBI early in the game before Kannapolis pulled ahead with an eight-run fifth inning.

Intimidators starter Erik Johnson earned his first win since June 2, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits over 5 and 2/3 innings. Kannapolis chased Grasshopper starter Scott Lyman (1-4) from the game after 3 and 1/3 innings, tagging him for four runs on six hits with four walks and two strikeouts in a losing effort. Jason Van Skike gave up one unearned run over 3 and 1/3 relief innings for the save (2).

Johnson loaded the bases in the bottom of the first thanks to a pair of walks and a throwing error, and Matt Smith put the Grasshoppers up with an infield single. Austin Barnes scored when Austin Nola grounded into a double play to give Greensboro an early 2-0 lead.

Kannapolis tied the game in the top of the second inning when Chris Curley drew a one-out walk, and Rice followed with a game-tying home run (2) to right-center field, his first of four hits.

Rice put Kannapolis in front with an RBI-single in the third inning, and in the fourth Keenyn Walker tripled and scored on a wild pitch to give the Intimidators a 4-2 lead.

Kannapolis plated eight runs in the fifth inning against James Nygren to pull away from Greensboro, 12-2. Chris Curley opened the barrage with a two-run home run (2). Rice followed with a double - his third hit of the game - and three batters later Keenyn Walker added a bases- loaded double to put the Intimidators ahead 8-2. Kevan Smith, Leighton Pangilinan and Curley all added RBI-hits before the innings ended when Rice flew out to right field.

The only other cycle in franchise history occurred on July 3, 2008, when Dale Mollenhauer went 4-for-5 against Lake County.

The Intimidators and Grasshoppers play the third game of this four- game series on Monday at 7:00 p.m. at NewBridge Bank Park as Kannapolis sends RHP Chris Devenski (5-4, 4.35) to the mound against Greensboro's LHP Charlie Lowell (3-4, 4.21). The Intimidators return to CMC-NorthEast Stadium for a four-game series against Charleston on Thursday, July 19. For ticket information, call the box office at (704) 932-3267 or visit www.IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 15, 2012


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