SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Rice Puts Intimidators Ahead in 10th

Published on August 24, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


LAKEWOOD, N.J. (Aug. 24, 2012) -- New Jersey native Bill Rice played the role of hero in his home state, driving in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning as the Kannapolis Intimidators edged the Lakewood BlueClaws, 3-1, in 10 innings on Friday night at FirstEnergy Park.

With one out in the top of the 10th and Adam Heisler on second base, Rice came through with his first hit of the game, a single grounded through the right side of the infield, and Heisler beat the throw home for a 2-1 lead. Rice never stopped running on the play and advanced all the way to third before eventually scoring on a Joey DeMichele double for a 3-1 lead.

Reliever Jason Van Skike worked out of a ninth inning jam to get the game into extra innings and earn the win. The BlueClaws put the winning run on third base with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Van Skike (4-0) struck out Brian Pointer and retired Stephen Malcolm to end the threat. Dustin Umberger worked a 1-2-3 frame against the BlueClaws top of the order for the save (3).

Intimidators starter Bryan Blough struck out a career-high nine batters over 6.0 innings in his first career quality start, allowing a run on five hits with a walk while taking no decision.

Kannapolis opened the scoring in the second inning. Courtney Hawkins came to the plate with two outs and runners on first and second and doubled over the left fielder scoring Heisler, but Joe De Pinto, who was trying to score from first, was thrown out at the plate to end the inning. Hawkins, the White Sox top pick this June, finished the game 3-for-5 with two doubles.

The BlueClaws nearly took a lead in the fourth inning. With a runner on second and Kannapolis leading 1-0, Maikel Franco launched a would- be home run beyond the left field foul pole. Umpires determined it to be a foul ball, and Lakewood manager Mickey Morandini earned an ejection for arguing the call. Franco salvaged the at-bat with a ground ball up the middle, and a Chris Curley error on the play allowed the tying run to come home.

The Intimidators play game three of a 4-game series against the BlueClaws on Friday at FirstEnergy Park as LHP Jarrett Casey (5-6, 5.90 faces Lakewood's LHP Hoby Milner (4-3, 3.20). The Intimidators return to CMC-NorthEast Stadium on Tuesday, Aug. 28, to face the Greenville Drive to open the final home stand of the season. 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 August 24, 2012


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