Intimidators Drop Series Opener Despite Vaughn's Big Day

July 9, 2019

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - Despite a two-hit day for Andrew Vaughn, the Chicago White Sox's third overall pick, the Kannapolis Intimidators (11-8, 39-48) fell to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (10-8, 54-33) Tuesday night 5-4 at Intimidators Stadium supported by Atrium Health.An unusual top of the first inning saw Greensboro go up 2-0.

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - Despite a two-hit day for Andrew Vaughn, the Chicago White Sox's third overall pick, the Kannapolis Intimidators (11-8, 39-48) fell to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (10-8, 54-33) Tuesday night 5-4 at Intimidators Stadium supported by Atrium Health.
An unusual top of the first inning saw Greensboro go up 2-0. After Johan Dominguez struck out the first batter, the Intimidators committed a few errors and hit a batter, and then saw a bloop-single from the Grasshoppers fall to eventually take a two-run lead.
In the bottom of the second, the Intimidators got one run back. Ramon Beltre played some small ball by grounding out to second base, scoring Bryce Bush from third in the process.
It didn't take long for the Grasshoppers to answer with a couple runs of their own. Grant Koch singled to left field and scored Connor Kaiser. Michael Gretler then hit a sac fly to score Fabricio Macias to go up 4-1.
In the third, Vaughn hit his first home run for the Intimidators with a solo shot that cleared the clubhouses behind left field to cut the deficit to 4-2.
After those three innings, Dominguez's day came to an end. Dominguez finished the day by giving up four hits, four runs (two earned), one walk, and collecting three strikeouts. Kevin Folman received the first call out of the bullpen for Kannapolis.
Over the next three and a half innings going into the bottom of the seventh, both teams were held at bay. Folman pitched four strong innings, giving up just four hits, no runs, and striking out four.
With two on in the bottom of the seventh, Vaughn struck again with a single to left field, scoring Ian Dawkins to bring the Intimidators within one run, 4-3. Johan Cruz then hit a deep sac fly to left field to bring in Lenyn Sosa and tie things at 4-4.
Greensboro managed to take the lead back in the top of the ninth with a sac fly from Jonah Davis off of Devon Perez (L, 0-2), who came in for Folman.
After not managing to get any runs back of their own in the bottom of the frame, Kannapolis fell 5-4.
Vaughn finished the night 2-for-3 with two walks and two RBI, including his home run and single.
The Intimidators will continue their homestand against Greensboro on Wednesday at noon. Sam Long (4-1, 3.38 ERA) will get the ball for Kannapolis.