Late Delmarva Rally Tops Kannapolis

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - Despite holding onto a 3-2 lead from the third inning on, the Kannapolis Intimidators (19-24) allowed two runs to score for Delmarva (33-9) in the ninth, losing 4-3 and bringing an end to a 2-6 homestand in Kannapolis.
Things got started off quick when Taylor Varnell (3-2, 2.89 ERA) allowed a solo home run to Nick Horvath in the top of the first inning to give Delmarva a 1-0 lead.
That lead didn't last long for Delmarva as Romy Gonzalez drove in Ian Dawkins with a single into right field. Two batters later, Luis Curbelo doubled (tacking on his team leading 25^th RBI) to drive in Gonzalez to give Kannapolis a 2-1 lead.
A single from Cadyn Grenier just out of the reach of Ian Dawkins in centerfield scored Robbie Thorburn to even things back up at 2-2 for Delmarva in the top of the third.
Once again, Kannapolis wasted no time getting back in the lead in the bottom half of that inning. Lenyn Sosa led off the inning with his 13^th double of the season, and Romy Gonzalez was then hit with his third pitch in the past two games. Alex Destino followed those two at bats with a sacrifice fly to centerfield, thusly scoring Sosa and putting Kannapolis up 3-2.
Despite some early struggles, Varnell settled in well during his outing and at one point during the fourth and fifth innings, struck out five straight batters. His final line on the night ended as 5.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 7 SO, and 2 BB.
Sam Long (2-0, 3.72 ERA) came in relief for Kannapolis during a first and third, one-out jam in the bottom of the sixth and prevented Delmarva from getting anything out of it. Long proceeded to pitch the full seventh and eighth innings, giving up just one hit total while tallying four strikeouts.
Things seemed to be going smooth for Kannapolis with a 3-2 lead headed into the ninth inning, but Delmarva had some late inning drama in them. With Lane Ramsey (0-2, 2.35 ERA) taking the bump for Kannapolis, Delmarva was able to rally with a couple hits and a walk that culminated in a Ryan Hall soft single to center, scoring Ryne Ogren and Robbie Thorburn to give Delmarva the 4-3 lead.
The side struck out for Kannapolis in the bottom half of the ninth as they fell on the night. They will begin an eight-game road trip starting against the Hagerstown Suns (19-23) Tuesday night at 7 p.m.