SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Sierra Rescues Kannapolis in 7-5 Win in West Virginia

Published on August 4, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


CHARLESTON, WV - The Intimidators watched a five run lead slip away on Tuesday night at Appalachian Power Park, but Luis Sierra came to the rescue with a game-winning home run to give Kannapolis a 7-5 victory over West Virginia.

Sierra took Aaron Pribanic (0-1) deep for a two-run homer in the top of the seventh to break a 5-5 deadlock. It was the first home run of the year for the Intimidators backstop, but it was a no-doubter down the rightfield line.

Kannapolis needed Sierra's heroics after squandering a 5-0 lead. The Power tied it with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, but could not take the lead after loading the bases with one out against Kevin Asselin (4-3).

Asselin hunkered down and retired the final five batters that he faced to keep West Virginia from moving in front. Leroy Hunt worked a perfect eighth inning before hitting a snag in the ninth. The right-hander walked three in the bottom of the ninth to put the tying run in scoring position with two outs. But Enrique Lechuga entered out of the bullpen and got Bobby Spain to pop out to end the game for his first save of the season.

Kannapolis powered to a five run-lead early against West Virginia starter Hunter Strickland. The right-hander gave up five runs, though just two were earned, in five innings. Drew Garcia's two-out two-RBI double was the biggest knock against him.

Charlie Leesman was the beneficiary of the early support, but could not stay in the game long enough to record his 11th win of the season. Instead the southpaw gave up three runs in 4 1/3 innings without striking out a batter.

The game was initially delayed 33 minutes before first pitch due to some wet weather in the area, though it did not start to rain until the game had started.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 4, 2009


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