Bullpen trio slams door to preserve close win

Morrison records 6th save, running strikeout total to 23 in 15.1 IP

Kannapolis Intimidators relief pitcher Mike Morrison struck out three batters in a scoreless, hitless ninth inning to secure his sixth save of the season in a 4-3 win over Augusta on May 11, 2017. (photo by Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images)

By Josh Feldman

May 11, 2017

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (May 11, 2017) - The Intimidators bullpen locked down the game's final three innings to pitch past the GreenJackets, 4-3, in a series-clinching win on Thursday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium in Augusta. Kannapolis (17-15) will play for a sweep in Friday's series finale.
After Kannapolis took a one-run lead in the top of the sixth, Alex Katz took the mound with two on and two outs in the bottom of the frame and retired Shawon Dunston Jr. to end the inning. Katz worked into and out of trouble in the seventh, inducing a 4-6-3 double play from Grant Massey to Mitch Roman to Brandon Dulin to end the inning. Ben Wright worked around a walk for a scoreless eight, and Mike Morrison struck out three in the ninth for the save (6) to slam the door.
Trailing by a run in the sixth, Kannapolis rallied for a pair of runs to take the lead. Micker Adolfo led off the sixth with a double and scored on Antonio Rodriguez's RBI-single to tie the game, 3-3. Two batters later, Brandon Dulin drove in Rodriguez to reclaim the lead, 4-3.
Kannapolis starter Alec Hansen (2-3) earned the win, working 5 and 2/3 innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits. He struck out four and walked two while allowing a home run - only the first against him this season.
Morrison, the team's closer, recorded his sixth save in as many opportunities. The right-hander who helped pitch Coastal Carolina to the College World Series Championship in 2016, has not allowed a run in 15 and 1/3 innings this season while striking out 23 and walking only three.
The teams traded runs in the third and fourth inning with the GreenJackets taking a 3-2 lead after the dust settled.
Adolfo's sixth inning double extended his career-best hitting streak to 13 games, the second-longest in the South Atlantic League this season. The right fielder is batting .385 (20-52) during his streak, which dates back to April 27.
The Intimidators wrap up this 3-game series against the GreenJackets on Friday at 7:05 p.m. as RHP Chris Comito (0-0, 4.82 ERA) takes the mound against Augusta's RHP Melvin Adon (0-3, 4.87 ERA). The team returns home on Thursday, May 18, for a 7-game home stand against Hickory and Greenville. The upcoming home stand features several can't-miss promotions, including Motorsports Night on May 18 with a ticket giveaway to the big May race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. On May 19, the Intimidators are hosting Get Healthy Kannapolis. May 20 is Faith & Fireworks. May 21 is Bark in the Park in partnership with South Ridge Veterinary Hospital. Tickets are available by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at 704-932-3267 or by visiting IntimidatorsBaseball.com.