Vickers Finishes Single Shy of Cycle in 10-5 Win

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (April 18. 2019) - In his second game in the South Atlantic League, infielder Trey Vickers  finished a single shy of the cycle, leading the Hagerstown Suns to a 10-5 victory over the Kannapolis Intimidators at Intimidators Stadium Thursday night.
The 2018 30th round draft pick tripled in the second, doubled in the third and homered in the seventh to set up a dramatic at-bat in the ninth. On a 3-2 pitch, he was called out on strikes to end the hopes that he would hit Hagerstown's (7-8) first cycle since John Kehoe did so May 18, 1996 at Hickory.

Hagerstown led-off their scoring spree in the first. After a Cody Wilson triple, Israel Pineda grounded into a double play that plated the centerfielder. In the next at-bat, Kannapolis (4-9) starter Davis Martin (L, 1-1) threw a wild pitch that allowed Jacob Rhinesmith to score and cap-off the inning with a Suns 2-0 lead.
The scoring was highlighted by a three-run homer from KJ Harrison  to plate Rhinesmith and Gilbert Lara. The Suns added one more from Vickers' double to put them in front 8-0.
The scoring did not end there. Justin Connell doubled to bring home Jamori Blash and then Vickers' triple plated Connell in the second to double the Suns' lead.
The scoring overshadowed an incredible start from righty Francys Peguero (W, 1-1). He finished working five innings, fanning seven Intimidators and allowing just four hits without surrendering a run.
Jackson Stoeckinger added two scoreless innings from the pen before handing the ball to Leif Strom. Strom struggled a bit in the ninth, walking the bases loaded and allowing three to score, but the Suns held on to win, with Jhonatan German closing the door for the final two outs.
The Suns continue their three-game series with the Kannapolis Intimidators tomorrow at 7 p.m. Patrick Anderson sends RHP Tomas Alastre (1-1, 5.68 ERA) to the hill, while Kannapolis gives LHP Konnor Pilkington (1-0, 0.77 ERA) the nod.
Hagerstown returns to historic Municipal Stadium on Monday for another seven-game homestand, where they host the Greenville Drive and Greensboro Grasshoppers April 22-April 28. The homestand begins with a Monday game against the Drive and that series concludes Wednesday with our first Bark in the Park of 2019. The Grasshoppers' series is highlighted by Thirsty Thursday, Friday Night Lights and Autism Awareness Night. Finally, the homestand concludes with Sunday Funday against the Grasshoppers, April 28. For tickets visit HagerstownSuns.com or call (301) 791-6066.