KANNAPOLIS DOWNS DELMARVA, 8-5, IN SERIES FINALE

‘Birds Earn Third Straight Series Split

Salisbury, Md. – The Kannapolis Intimidators plated four unanswered runs in the first two innings en route to an 8-5 win over the Delmarva Shorebirds on Thursday night at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

The Intimidators plated three runs in the top of the first inning against lefty Nick Haughian. The first three batters; Ryan Lee, Jake Oester and Tyler Saladino all reached on hits and all came into score.

Kannapolis built a 4-0 lead in the second on an RBI single by Ryan Lee to score Juan Silverio, who reached on an error by Garabez Rosa.

The ‘Birds chipped into the deficit in the fourth inning. Tyler Stampone led off with a single through the right side of the infield. Later in the frame, Omar Casamayor singled Stampone to second. Then, Gary Helmick hit a soft flare to shallow right field to score Stampone.

Kannapolis tacked a run in the fifth to establish a 5-1 lead. Ian Gac led off with a single. Trayce Thompson followed with a single. Two batters later, Jordan Cheatham singled to load the bases. Then, Kevin Dubler walked to force home Gac.

Haughian was removed from the game after 4.2 innings. He allowed eight hits and four earned runs.

The Shorebirds pushed within two runs in the seventh inning. Gary Helmick started the frame with a double down the left field line. Rosa followed with a single to score Helmick. Mikey Planeta then sacrificed Rosa to second with a bunt. Two batters later, Trent Mummey blasted a triple to the right-center field wall to score Rosa.

The Intimidators extended the lead to 8-3 with one run in the eighth and two runs in the ninth.

The Shorebirds fought back in the ninth with two more runs but fell short. Ty Kelly ripped an RBI triple to right-center in his first at-bat of the game.

Kannapolis starter Andre Rienzo earned the win in six innings. He struck out nine and walked just one batter.

The Shorebirds begin their final series of the season on Friday night against the Augusta Greenjackets at 7:05 p.m.