KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (June 27, 2017) -- Ben Wright struck out a career-high six batters in relief, but the Intimidators fell to the Hickory Crawdads, 7-2, on Tuesday night at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System. Wright combined with fellow reliever Mick VanVossen to keep Hickory off the board over
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (June 27, 2017) -- Ben Wright struck out a career-high six batters in relief, but the Intimidators fell to the Hickory Crawdads, 7-2, on Tuesday night at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System. Wright combined with fellow reliever Mick VanVossen to keep Hickory off the board over the final five innings.
Kannapolis (4-2 Second Half, 43-31) fell behind early as Hickory scored in each of the first four frames - including two runs in the first and three in the third - to chase Kannapolis starting pitcher Yosmer Solorzano from the game. In the top of the first, Eric Jenkins led off by drawing a 4-pitch walk, stole second base, moved to third on a Solorzano throwing error, and scored on a Leody Taveras groundout for a quick 1-0 lead. Tanner Gardner added an RBI-double to plate Carlos Garay to cap the inning. In the second, Yeyson Yrizarri blasted a solo home run (4) for a 3-1 lead.
The Crawdads doubled their run total in the third inning as the first three batters all hit safely and scored thanks to Alex Kowalczyk's RBI-single and Ricky Valencia's 2-run base hit for a 6-1 advantage.
Solorzano (2-6) took the loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits over 3 and 2/3 innings, striking out two and walking one.
Wright took over for Solorzano and recorded the final out of the fourth inning before tossing scoreless fifth, sixth, and seventh frames. He worked around three hits and walked none over a career-long 3 and 1/3 innings before turning the ball over to VanVoseen, who spun 2.0 scoreless frames to close the game.
Hickory starting pitcher Kyle Cody (3-6) struck out nine batters, one shy of his career high, over 5.0 innings of work to earn the win. C.D. Pelham tossed 3.0 scoreless relief inning, and Kaleb Fontenot closed the game with a scoreless ninth.
Zach Remillard factored into both Intimidators runs. He singled home Luis Gonzalez in the first inning. In the fourth, Remilard led off with at triple and scored on a Massey base hit.
The Intimidators continue this series against the Crawdads on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. as RHP Kelvis Valerio (1-0, 2.63 ERA) takes the mound for Kannapolis against Hickory's RHP Walker Weickel (0-1, 4.73 ERA) . Wednesday is Trivia Night, and fans can be pub-style trivia throughout the game to win Intimidators prizes. Tickets are available by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at 704-932-3267 or by visiting IntimidatorsBaseball.com.
