Intimidators edged by Shorebirds Wednesday morning

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - Despite out-hitting Delmarva eight-to-six, Kannapolis left the season's first day game on Wednesday with a 2-1 loss, dropping both games in the rain-shortened series.
The Shorebirds struck first as Robert Nuestrom collected an infield single in the first inning off of RHP Jonathan Stiever (L, 0-2), followed by a seven-pitch walk to J.C. Encarnacion. One batter later and on the first pitch, Adam Hall rifled a to right field, scoring Nuestrom from second for the game's first run.
In the home-half of the first inning, the Intimidators used Luis Curbelo's third double of the season and a wild pitch from Hector Guance to set up their first run of the ball game. On the first pitch to Bryce Bush, Kannapolis' cleanup hitter hit a ball deep enough to right field, scoring Curbelo to tie up the game.
The momentum carried its way over to Delmarva in the fourth inning as Seamus Curran hit a double to center field, moving up one pitch later after a wild pitch. On a 2-2 pitch to Daniel Fajardo, Delmarva's catcher singled on a ball up the middle, giving the Shorebirds a one-run advantage.
Looking to retaliate in the bottom of the fourth, Steele Walker, Bush and Amado Nunez all went down on strikes against Guance, capturing three of the six strikeouts through 4.2 innings for the Shorebirds' righty.
Despite Evan Skoug's three-hit day, including one double and a walk in four plate appearances, the Intimidators left 11 runners on base, with Delmarva leaving Kannapolis with a two-game rain-shortened sweep of the Intimidators.
Kannapolis (3-3, 0-1 SAL) will look to get back on the right track as they head to Hickory, N.C., to take on the Crawdads (6-1, 6-1 SAL) for a four-game series. First pitch on Thursday is slated for 7:00 p.m. as LHP Taylor Varnell for the Intimidators will face off with LHP Jake Latz.