I's escape error-filled afternoon in extras

HICKORY, N.C. (April 16, 2014) - The Kannapolis Intimidators survived five errors and capitalized on a Hickory miscue in extra innings to secure a 4-3 win (F/12) and a series victory over the Crawdads on Wednesday at L.P. Frans Stadium.  

The Intimidators (6-8) took advantage of a Crawdads error in the top of the 12 inning to reclaim the lead. Adam Engel led off the inning with hard smash to third base which Juremi Profar fielded cleanly but hesitated before rushing a throw to first base. Profar's throw went low and got away from first baseman Nick Vickerson, allowing Engel to take second base. Danny Hayes followed two batters later with an RBI-single to right field, and Engel slid home just ahead of the throw from right fielder Nomar Mazara for a 4-3 lead.

Jake Sanchez worked 3.0 scoreless innings for the win, retiring the first eight batters he faced before consecutive errors by Kannapolis second baseman Tyler Shryock put the tying run on third for Hickory. Sanchez (1-0) bounced back to retire Vickerson, stranding the tying and winning runs on base, to secure the win.  

Abel De Los Santos (0-1) suffered the loss for Hickory, allowing the unearned run in the 12th. He worked 2.0 innings, striking out four Intimidators as Kannapolis hitters matched a season-high with 16 strikeouts on the afternoon.  

Kannapolis led 3-0 before Hickory (6-8) used a pair of Intimidators errors to score three unearned runs to tie the game, eventually forcing extra innings. With Kannapolis ahead 3-2 in the bottom of the eight, Shryock's second error of the day open the door for Hickory's tying run on a Jairo Beras sac-fly to plate Lewis Brinson, tying the game, 3-3.  

Robinson Leyer enjoyed his best start of the season, limiting Hickory to just three hits with no walks over the first five innings. He got into trouble in the sixth by walking the leadoff man followed by Isiah Kiner-Falefa reaching on a fielding error by Tyler Shryock. Another walk helped the Crawdads load the bases with one. Two batters later, Juremi Profer put Hickory on the board with a two-run single up the middle, ending Leyer's day. Jose Brito came in to strike out Jairo Beras, stranding Hickory's tying and go-ahead runs on base.  

Leyer took no decision, allowing two runs (none earned) on four hits while walking two and striking out six over 5.2 innings. Jose Brito backed him up with 3.1 relief innings, allowing an unearned run on two hits while striking out three.  

Jacob Morris put Kannapolis on the board to lead off the second inning, driving the first pitch of the frame over the left field walk for a 1-0 lead on his second home run of 2014.

Tyler Williams launched a two-run home run (1) on a 0-0 pitch from Akeem Bostick in the top of the fifth, ending the day for Hickory's starting pitcher. Bostick worked two batters into the fifth inning, allowed three runs on five hits, including two home runs, walking two and striking out three over 4.0 innings.  

Williams finished the game 3-for-4 with two RBI while Narvaez went 3-for-5 to lead Kannapolis offensively.

The Intimidators return home on Thursday to open a 3-game series against West Virginia. First pitch on Thursday is at 7:05 p.m. with gates opening at 6 p.m. In addition to Thirsty Thursday presented by U.S. Lawns, this Thursday is also Date Night at the ballpark. Tickets are available by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visiting IntimidatorsBaseball.com.