West Virginia homers twice to take series

Intimidators strand tying run on third base in ninth inning

By Josh Feldman

May 1, 2014

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (May 1, 2014) - The Kannapolis Intimidators put the tying run on third base in the with one out in the ninth inning but couldn't bring him home in a 5-4 loss to the West Virginia Power on Thursday night at CMC-NorthEast Stadium. The Power took the series, 3-games-to-2, in their second and final visit to Kannapolis of the season.

West Virginia (10-17) broke a 4-4 tie in the ninth inning when JaCoby Jones drew a leadoff walk from David Putman and moved to third base on an error before Danny Collins singled up the middle to pull the Power ahead.

In the bottom of the ninth, Cleuluis Rondon led off with a base hit and reached third base with one out, but Brett McKinney struck out Jacob Morris and retired Trey Michalczewski to end the game, stranding the tying run 90 feet from home.
Putman (0-1) took the loss, allowing an unearned run on two hits over 2.0 innings, while McKinney (1-0) earned the win with 2.0 scoreless innings.

Kannapolis (14-13) trailed 4-3 going into the seventh, but Power second baseman Erich Weiss dropped a pop up with two outs in the inning, allowing Michalczewski to score the tying run, 4-4.

The Power used a pair of home runs to leapfrog the Intimidators in the fourth inning. Michael Fransoso launched a solo shot to right field to pull the Power within one, and Jones added a two-run blast to give West Virginia a 4-3 lead, their second lead of the game.
After West Virginia took a lead with a run in the top of the first, Kannapolis pulled ahead with a 2-run second inning. T.J. Williams, Tyler Shryock and Adam Engel opened with three straight singles to put the Intimidators in front. Danny Hayes added a sac-fly to score Shryock for a 3-1 lead.

The Intimidators loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning, setting up Jacob Morris to drive in Adam Engel to tie the game, 1-1.

Jake Sanchez, who started the game for Kannapolis, gave up his first runs of the season in a no decision. He allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits, including a pair of home runs, while striking out six and walking two. Dylan Chavez came in to work 3.0 scoreless relief innings.

The Intimidators continue the home stand with a 4-game series against the Hickory Crawdads (Rangers) on Friday at 7:05 p.m. For ticket information, call the F&M Bank Box Office at (704) 932-3267 or visit IntimidatorsBaseball.com.