KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (July 9, 2017) - Kelvis Valerio struck out six batters to pitch the Intimidators past the Suns, 3-2 in seven innings, in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System. Kannapolis (7-10 Second Half, 46-39) won its third straight game while taking
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (July 9, 2017) - Kelvis Valerio struck out six batters to pitch the Intimidators past the Suns, 3-2 in seven innings, in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System. Kannapolis (7-10 Second Half, 46-39) won its third straight game while taking the first two games of this series.
Valerio (2-0) opened with four scoreless innings before allowing runs in the fifth and sixth en route to earning the win. The Intimidators starting pitcher scattered singles in each of the first four innings. Valerio scattered eight hits over 6.0 innings, striking out six and walking none.
In the bottom of the first, the first four Intimidators reached base safely to build a 2-0 lead. Gavin Sheets, the White Sox second round pick from the June 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of Wake Forest, drove in Luis Gonzalez with an RBI-single, and Micker Adolfo followed with a base hit to plate Mitch Roman.
Aaron Schnurbusch blasted a home run (2) with one out in the fourth inning for a 3-0 lead.
Hagerstown got on the board in the fifth on a Telmito Agustin solo home run (4). In the top of the sixth, the Suns threatened to tie up the game and possibly take the lead, but Valerio escaped the jam with the lead intact. With one out in the six, Daniel Johnson singled and moved to third on a Sheldon Neuse double. Jake Noll followed with an RBI-single to cash Johnson and move the tying run to third base, but Valerio bounced back to retire the next two batters to get out of the inning.
Matt Foster tossed a 1-2-3 seventh inning, striking out two, for the save (4).
Suns starter Carlos Pena (4-5) worked 5.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits with four strikeouts and a walk in a losing effort.
The second game of Sunday's doubleheader begins at 5:15 p.m. at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System. Kannapolis sends RHP Yelmison Peralta (0-2, 12.27 ERA) to the mound against Hagerstown's RHP Sterling Sharpe (4-6, 3.30 ERA) in the second game of the twin bill. The home stand wraps up on Monday at 7:05 p.m. as the Intimidators host Belly Buster Monday featuring all-you-can-eat included in all tickets for only $16 (only $14 for children 12 and under). Tickets are available by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at 704-932-3267 or by visiting IntimidatorsBaseball.com.
