Hickman Homers in Kannapolis Loss

AUGUSTA, GA - Striking out 17 times and only recording three hits, Kannapolis dropped the first game of the series against the GreenJackets 3-1 Thursday night at SRP Park.
The GreenJackets got on the board early against Kannapolis' Davis Martin (L, 3-5) in the first frame, using small ball to do so. Leading off the inning, Mikey Edie reached first base on a throwing error by catcher Michael Hickman after Martin struck Edie out on four pitches.
With a potential unearned run at first base, Shane Matheny singled and then was thrown out at second base trying to stretch the single into a double by Ian Dawkins. Going to third on the play, Edie then scored two batters later after a Frankie Tostado single to right field to give the 'Jackets a 1-0 lead.
After manager Ryan Newman got ejected in the second inning, Kannapolis allowed another run to score in the second inning thanks to two singles and an Anyesber Sivira stolen base.
The Intimidators got their first hit against Blake Rivera (W, 3-4) in the fourth inning after Lenyn Sosa singled on a line drive up the middle on a 2-0 pitch. After an Alex Destino walk to put runners first and second, Romy Gonzalez struck out and Bryce Bush grounded into a force at second to end the Kannapolis threat.
Despite getting the loss, Martin tossed one of his best outings of the season through 6.0 innings, striking out eight batters, while scattering two runs (one earned) on four hits.
Bennett Sousa allowed one run on three hits over the last 2.0 innings on the mound for Kannapolis, striking out four batters.
Kannapolis scored their only run of the night in the eighth inning against Franklin Van Gurp, using a Hickman home run (3) to right field to do so.
Dawkins saw his 20-game hit-streak and 31-game on-base streak come to an end Thursday night with three strikeouts in an 0-for-4 night.
The Intimidators will send Sam Long (2-1, 3.00 ERA) to the mound at 7:05 p.m. Friday night at SRP Park in Augusta, GA.