Eighth inning surge declaws Lakewood

LAKEWOOD, N.J. (June 8, 2017) - The Intimidators broke open a deadlocked game with four runs in the eighth inning to score a 5-1 win and series victory over the Lakewood BlueClaws on Thursday night at FirstEnergy Park. Kannapolis (31-26) pounded out 12 hits on the night but played small ball to put together its big inning.
With the game tied 1-1 going into the eighth, Courtney Hawkins led off the frame with his second double in as many nights, and Micker Adolfo was hit by a pitch to put two men on base. After Brandon Dulin's sac-bunt moved both runners into scoring position, Mitch Roman drew an intentional walk to load the bases. Zach Remillard drove in Hawkins on a grounder that Lakewood shortstop Raul Rivas misplayed for a 2-1 lead. Seby Zavala's line drive to left field cashed Adolfo and kept the bases loaded for Grant Massey, who singled up the middle to bring in two more runs for a 5-1 lead.
Danny Dopico (2-2), who gave up a run in the seventh, bounced back with a scoreless eighth inning, and Mike Morrison - who earlier in the week was one of five Intimidators named to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game - locked down the game with a perfect ninth.  
Starting pitcher Jimmy Lambert, who will join Morrison and Zavala along with Alec Hansen and Joel Booker as All-Stars, kept the BlueClaws off the board during his 6.0 innings of work. Lambert worked around four while and allowed just four hits in a no decision.
Lakewood's Bailey Falter spun 5 and 1/3 scoreless innings in a no decision, and reliever Felix Paulino (1-6) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits in 3 and 2/3 relief frames.  
Kannapolis opens a 4-game series in Delmarva on Friday at 7:05 p.m. The Intimidators return to Kannapolis for a 6-day home stand June 13-18 against the Hagerstown Suns and West Virginia Power. The home stand features the second annual Disney Vacation Giveaway Night on Saturday, June 17, where one lucky fan will win a $2,500 vacation to the Magic Kingdom. Tickets are available by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at 704-932-3267 or by visiting IntimidatorsBaseball.com.