Tourists Drop 13-12 Thriller to Intimidators

May 9, 2013 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Asheville Tourists News Release

Asheville, NC--If the next three games in Asheville and Kannapolis' four-game series even resemble Thursday night's instant classic, then this series will go down as one of the most entertaining of the season. Kannapolis held on late to defeat Asheville 13-12 in by far the most exhilarating game of the year. Both teams watched leads slip away time and time again but with the game on the line, it was the visitors who came out on top.

The Intimidators plated a run in the top of the first inning, only to see Asheville's Tom Murphy put the home team in front with a two-run Homer in the bottom of the first. The Tourists tacked on another run in the second while Kannapolis managed one in the third. Asheville kept up the scoring by plating three in the bottom of the third; the highlight hit was Francisco Sosa's two-run Home Run to straight away center. Asheville led 6-2 after three.

In the top of the fourth, the defense cost the Tourists on a few occasions and the Intimidators took advantage with a five-run inning. Kannapolis added three more in the top of the sixth when Jason Coats cleared the bases with a double to left.

The Tourists responded with a three-run seventh that was capped with a controversial call. The Intimidators issued five walks in the inning; two coming with the bases loaded. Kyle Von Tungeln nearly beat out a ground ball that would have plated two more, but the Tourists centerfielder was ruled out on the play. Manager Fred Ocasio was given an early exit for arguing the call as the Tourists trailed 10-9 after seven.

Kannapolis used the momentum to score three more in the top of the eighth. Kyle Robinson hit a two-run single to center and the third run came home on an error. Once again, Asheville had some fight left.

The T's scored two in the bottom of the eighth, one on Sosa's second Home Run of the game. Trailing 13-11 in the bottom of the ninth, Asheville had runners at second and third with one out.

Von Tungeln singled into center that scored one, but Matt Wessinger and Rosell Herrera were unable to bring the tying run in from third.

Murphy finished with a game-high 4 RBI's while Kannapolis' Micah Johnson stole the show literally by scoring four runs, reaching base five times, and swiping four bases. The same two teams are back in action on Friday night with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm.

• Discuss this story on the South Atlantic League message board...

South Atlantic League Stories from May 9, 2013

• Gnats Three-Run Sixth Tips Braves - Savannah Sand Gnats
• Tourists Drop 13-12 Thriller to Intimidators - Asheville Tourists
• Suns Slip Past Shorebirds 3-1 - Hagerstown Suns
• Drive Drop Series Opener to GreenJackets, 6-3 - Greenville Drive
• Greensboro Spoils Charles' Return 5-4 in Opener - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Edwards Dominant in 'Dads 2-1 Win - Hickory Crawdads
• Homer by Antonio in 7th Sends Legends to 2-1 Win - Lexington Legends
• Suns Score Late Runs to Drop Shorebirds. 3-1 - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Low-Scoring Affair Favors Legends - Charleston Dirty Birds
• WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Two RiverDogs' Pitchers Promoted to High-A Tampa - Charleston RiverDogs
• Rangers Name Edwards Minor League Pitcher of the Month - Hickory Crawdads
• Former UK Star Cousins to Throw Ceremonial Pitch Tonight - Lexington Legends
• Tourists Fireworks Tickets on Sale Saturday, May 11, at 10 am - Asheville Tourists
• Game Notes: Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox) vs. Asheville Tourists (Rockies) - May 9, 2013 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• May Madness of Ball Park Food - Charleston RiverDogs
• Rome Makes Roster Moves - Rome Emperors

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Asheville Tourists Stories

• Williams and Price Go Deep But Tourists Fall 8-5
• Cam Fisher's Three Home Runs Lead Asheville to Wild Win
• Defense Dominates in 4-2 Win over Rome
• Series Ends with a 4-3 Loss After Teams Exchange Ninth Inning Homers
• Cyclones Snag Two from the Tourists in Double-Header