SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Williams Doubles Twice in Series-Clinching Win

Published on May 12, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 12, 2015) - T.J. Williams connected on a pair of doubles to pace the Intimidators offense in a series-clinching win over Lexington, 7-3, on Tuesday night at Whitaker Bank Ballpark. Williams finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored while recording the first 2-double game for Kannapolis this season.

Yelmison Peralta (1-3) bounced back from a rough first inning to earn his first win of the season. He finished with 5.0 innings of work, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits with five walks and five strikeouts. Kannapolis plated seven runs from the second through fourth innings to provide Peralta with all the support he would need.

Peralta walked the first three Legends batters to open the bottom of the first, and Lexington converted the free passes into two runs on a pair of ground balls for a 2-0 lead.

Kannapolis (14-17) responded with a 3-run top of the second, stringing together four 2-out hits, including a T.J. Williams RBI-double and ensuing error by the right-fielder that scored Toby Thomas and Sean O'Connell. James Baldwin followed Williams with a run-scoring single. In the third, Christian Stringer was hit by a pitch, and Louie Lechich followed with a triple that rattled around in the bullpen cutout down the right-field line, bringing in Stringer for a 4-2 lead. Lechich scored on a passed ball for a 5-2 advantage.

The Intimidators chipped in two more runs in the fourth. Williams connected on his second double of the game, and Baldwin dropped a bunt-single up the third base line to put men on the corners with one out. Williams and Baldwin both scored on Legends throwing errors for a 7-2 lead.

Peralta bounced back after the walk-filled first inning, facing the minimum over the next three innings, including striking out the side in the fourth. The Kannapolis starting pitcher walked the leadoff man Michael Hill to open the fifth inning, and Hill scored on a Corey Toups ground out to cut the Intimidators lead, 7-3. Lexington loaded the bases with one out against Peralta, who faced the tying run at the plate in Wander Franco. Franco grounded to Intimidators third baseman Toby Thomas, who stepped on third and fired to first for an inning-ending double play.

Jacob Morris pitched a pair of scoreless, hitless innings in the sixth and seventh, striking out two and walking one. Kelvis Valerio spun the final two frames for Kannapolis, liming the Legends (13-19) to one hit and one walk.

Legends starter Zach Lovvorn gave up seven runs (four earned) on seven hits in 5.0 innings. He struck out five and walked none. Jake Newberry, who took the loss Saturday as a result of the Intimidators' 8-run rally with two outs in the ninth inning, tossed 3.0 scoreless frames of relief on Tuesday. Evan Beal spun a clean ninth for Lexington.

Kannapolis secured a road series win for the first time since July 26-29, 2014, when the Intimidators took three of five games at Lakewood.

The Intimidators are off on Wednesday and open a 4-game series in Kannapolis on Thursday against the Lakewood BlueClaws with RHP Thad Lowry (4-1, 2.70 ERA) slated to start the series opener against Lakewood's RHP Tyler Viza (3-1, 3.29).

Thursday's game features a special appearance by Miss Coors Light, presented by United Beverages of North Carolina. Thursday game is also a Thirsty Thursday, presented by Pro Mats with discounted drinks all game long and post-game Launch-A-Ball presented by Dick's Sporting Goods. For tickets 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 12, 2015


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