INTIMIDATORS POWER PAST SHOREBIRDS, 8-3

‘Birds Ground into Five Double Plays

Kannapolis, N.C. – Kannapolis Intimidators’ center field Trayce Thompson hit two home runs and the Intimidators defensive turned five double plays to cruise by the Shorebirds, 8-3 in game one at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium.

The scoring started in the bottom of the second. Ian Gac lead off with a single in the infield. Two batters later, Trayce Thompson belted his fifth home run of the season to left-center field to give the Intimidators a 2-0 lead.

The Intimidators tacked on four more runs in the fourth inning to build a 6-0 lead. Nick Ciolli started the frame with a double. Two batters later, Kyle Colligan hit a line drive single. Then, Thompson connected on his second homer of the night to give Kannapolis a 5-0 edge. Brady Shoemaker then followed with a double. Miguel Gonzalez followed suit with a base hit to plate Shoemaker.

Shorebirds starter Jake Cowan lasted five innings. He allowed nine hits and six runs. Kannapolis starter Joe Serafin tossed a seven inning shutout to earn the win. He allowed just six hits.

The Intimidators plated two more runs in the eighth inning against reliever Randy Henry. Daniel Wagner and Rafael Vera delivered back-to-back RBI hits to bulge the lead to 8-0.

The Shorebirds rallied in the ninth inning. Kannapolis reliever Ryan Buch walked the first two batters. Then, Mikey Planeta lined a single into right field to load the bases. Michael Ohlman drew a walk to score Kolodny. Rosa grounded to third to score Steve Bumbry. The third run came into score on a soft line drive into right center field. JR Ballinger replaced Buch a stopped the rally by retiring Mike Mooney and Brian Conley.

The Shorebirds play game two of the series on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Matt Hobgood takes the hill for the Shorebirds against RHP Terry Doyle for Kannapolis.