SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Zangari Goes from Goat to Hero in Extras

Published on May 19, 2016 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Follow an error that allowed Asheville to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, Corey Zangari redeemed himself with an extra-inning bomb to propel Kannapolis to a 10-7 win in 10 innings over the Tourists on Thursday night at McCormick Field. Zangari's team-leading seventh home run of the season snapped the team's six-game skid.

Kannapolis (17-23) took four different leads earlier in the night, but Asheville came back to tie the ballgame each time until Zangari's difference-making blast in the 10th. The White Sox sixth round pick in the June 2015 draft finished the night 1-for-3 with three RBI and three runs scored, and the Intimidators pounded out 15 hits on the night.

Brannon Easterling (2-1) earned the win, tossing the ninth and 10th inning for Kannapolis while Tourists reliever Justin Lawrence suffered the loss, allowing four runs over 2.0 innings.

The Intimidators led the Tourists, 7-6, in the bottom of the ninth when Zangari committed what looked to be a potentially devastating error. With Asheville's Mylz Jones on second base, Brian Mundell popped a ball high and foul down the right field line where the first baseman, Zangari, chased backward to make the catch. As Jones tagged up and second and headed for third, Zangari fired the ball off target, allowing Jones to score the game-tying run.

Seby Zavala paced the Kannapolis offense with his first career 4-hit game, going 4-for-6 with three RBI and two runs scored. He tripled in the Intimidators' 2-run third inning to claim the game's first lead. Zavala added to the lead with a 2-run single off the top of the 36-foot tall wall in right field in the fourth, scoring Danny Mendick and Tyler Sullivan for a 4-1 advantage.

Asheville rallied for three runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game, 4-4, as Sam Hilliard started the scoring with a 2-run double and came home to score on Johnathan Piron's infield single.

The Intimidators and Tourists traded runs in the fifth before Kannapolis pulled back in front, 6-5, in the sixth as Johan Cruz led off the top of the inning with a double, and Cody Daily traded places with him with a double of his own. Asheville used its own pair of doubles - by Mundell and Josh Fuentes in the bottom of the seventh - to once again knot the game, 6-6.

Kannapolis continues this 4-game series on Friday as RHP Luis Martinez (1-4, 4.89 ERA) takes the mound against Asheville's RHP Try Killian (3-2, 5.05 ERA) at 7:05 p.m. at McCormick Field. The Intimidators return home on Thursday, May 26, to open a seven-game home stand. For tickets and promotional information, call the F&M Bank Box Office or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

Check out the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from May 19, 2016


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.

OurSports Central